Effective Friday, July 31, the city halted all new boring and trenching work within the public right-of-way while allowing crews to complete restoration work, repairs and safety-related tasks at existing job sites

Cade Barker
The Reflector Newspaper

The city of Battle Ground has issued a stop-work order on new Metronet fiber-optic construction after residents reported property damage, inadequate notification and concerns over construction practices in neighborhoods across the city in the last couple of weeks.

Effective Friday, July 31, the city halted all new boring and trenching work within the public right-of-way while allowing crews to complete restoration work, repairs and safety-related tasks at existing job sites.

According to a letter sent to affected residents, Metronet must provide a detailed construction schedule, demonstrate neighborhoods received proper advance notice and verify crews have been instructed on Washington’s Dig Law before new work resumes.

The stop-work order came after city staff reviewed complaints from residents and determined “that a temporary pause in new construction was appropriate to reinforce permit requirements and improve communication with affected neighborhoods before work resumes.”

In a statement to The Reflector by Metronet media representatives, Metronet stated the company voluntarily paused construction in Battle Ground before the city issued its stop-work notice.

“We are coordinating with city officials regarding the project and will comply with all applicable requirements and ensure proper restoration for all work in progress,” Metronet stated.

Battle Ground resident Deborah Gorsline said the issue began with what she described as a lack of communication before construction started.

“You go back to the point of the matter. They’re supposed to, by law, notify each homeowner and give them a 10-day notice,” Gorsline said. “What we got was, like, a month ago, a little flyer saying they’ll be in the area. Not that they’ll be digging in your area.”

Gorsline said construction crews entered neighborhoods between Albertson’s and Daybreak schools without first speaking with homeowners.

“Nobody ever knocked on the door before they started digging,” she said. “Before you know it, they took over the whole neighborhood, vandalizing, without knocking at a single door.”

She also questioned whether crews could provide documentation authorizing the work.

“There’s a lack of transparency. There’s no transparency,” Gorsline said. “Because when you say, ‘may I please see a permit,’ nobody can provide a permit. ‘May I please see a plot with the utility easements?’ Nobody could provide it.”

Metronet stated it takes multiple precautions to ensure safety and limit impacts to area residents prior to work occurring.

“We take construction safety and potential impacts to residents seriously,” the company stated. “Before work begins, construction crews are required to follow applicable state and local requirements, including obtaining valid utility locates, visually verifying underground facilities as required and stopping work when markings or site conditions are unclear.”

Metronet added that, despite precautions, damage can still occur.

“Despite these precautions, underground utility damage can occur for a variety of reasons, including incomplete or inaccurate records, unmarked or mismarked infrastructure, private utility lines that are not included in the public locating process, unexpected site conditions or construction error,” Metronet stated. “Every reported incident is reviewed individually to determine what occurred and whether corrective action is needed.”

Among the residents reporting damage are Edward and Rina Dzubenko, who said a sewer line at their home was struck during underground boring operations.

“We were without plumbing for four days,” Rina Dzubenko said, adding the family noticed wastewater surfacing in their yard several days after construction occurred.

Edward Dzubenko said he repeatedly told contractors the damaged sewer line should be investigated further.

“So basically, I told them like, ‘no, you guys damaged that. Make sure, like, please dig the bigger hole so we can find the problem,’” he said.

The Dzubenkos said they requested permits, insurance information and other documentation from Metronet representatives but had not received it.

Early last week, prior to the stop work order, Metronet crews hired a plumbing company to fix the sewer line issue. But the residents came home to unpermitted work occurring and a torn-up driveway.

“So far, all of this was done, but we do not have any paper trail,” Rina Dzubenko said. “No invoice. No reports, nothing.”

On the morning of July 31, a concrete company came to patch the driveway and to fully cover the unpermitted sewer repairs, but the Dzubenkos opted to park their car over the work area to prevent further unpermitted work on their property. Also on July 31, a city of Battle Ground inspector posted an individual stop work notice at the Dzubenko property for violation of Battle Ground Municipal Code regarding permitted sewer repair and verification of compaction beneath the driveway.

“The sewer line referenced in your inquiry has been repaired, and we worked directly with the affected resident to address the issue,” Metronet stated, regarding the Dzubenko property. “We sincerely apologize for the disruption and remain committed to responding promptly to construction-related concerns.”

Residents also questioned the quality of restoration work.

“So it’s kind of like they’re jimmy rigging, going the cheapest,” Gorsline said. “The other thing I understood is they were going to repair the lawns back to the pre-dig. I’ve driven around. Nobody’s lawn looks like it matches where they dug.”

Lonnie Gorsline said sod removed during construction often did not survive.

“What happened is when they dug up the sod, and they left the sod out for like two days,” he said. “By the time they put it back in, it was dead.”

Other neighbors reported no notice whatsoever and also documented multiple individuals’ sprinkler systems damaged from boring operations.

According to the city’s notice, Metronet remains responsible for restoring disturbed landscaping, completing repairs, properly terminating utility runs and eliminating safety hazards while the stop-work order remains in effect.

The city stated the order applies only to work within the public right of way. Construction occurring within recorded utility easements on private property may continue if necessary to safely complete existing work.

Battle Ground officials also directed residents with restoration concerns to contact Metronet through its online construction portal or hotline, stating the company advised responses should be provided within 24 to 48 hours.

“The City recognizes the concerns many residents have expressed regarding this on-going project,” the notice states. “Our priority is ensuring work performed within the public right of way complies with City permit requirements while protecting the safety and interests of our community.”

The city added it will continue monitoring Metronet’s compliance and determine when construction may resume on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis as permit requirements are satisfied.

Metronet concluded their statement to The Reflector with, “Any resident with questions or issues should contact Metronet directly at metronet.com/construction or call (877) 407-3224.”

This report was first published by The Reflector Newspaper. Cade Barker can be reached at cade.barker@thereflector.com.