Metro releases preliminary concepts for public feedback to improve service on Blue, Orange, Silver lines
Metro today released several preliminary concepts to improve reliability, meet future ridership demand, and better serve customers on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. The concepts, part of the two-year Blue/Orange/Silver Capacity and Reliability Study (BOS Study), include a range of infrastructure improvements and service alternatives to address both short- and long-term needs.
Beginning next week, Metro will hold a series of open houses in Maryland, Virginia and D.C. to provide information about the draft concepts, answer questions, and gather community feedback. The public is also invited to provide input and suggest additional ideas for improvements through an online survey.
Public Open Houses
Members of the public are encouraged to attend one of four open houses throughout the region. During the open houses, project staff will offer a presentation providing an overview of the study and alternatives. The public will be able to speak with the project team, ask questions, and provide feedback in-person and via online survey. The presentation will be provided at 5 p.m. and again at 6:30 p.m.to accommodate participants arriving at different times. The open houses will take place at the following times and locations:
•Monday, December 9
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
George Mason University
Van Metre Hall (Multipurpose Room)
3351 Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22201
Metro Station: Virginia Square-GMU (Orange and Silver Lines)
•Tuesday, December 10th
4:30 PM - 7:30 PM
George Washington University
Marvin Center, Room 301
800 21st Street NW
Washington, DC 20052
Metro Station: Foggy Bottom-GWU (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines)
•Thursday, December 12
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
St. Margaret’s Church (Omega Room)
410 Addison Road South
Capitol Heights, MD 20743
Metro Station: Addison Road (Blue and Silver Lines)
•Tuesday, December 17
4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Courtyard by Marriott Tysons-McLean
Fairfax Junior Ballroom
1960A Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA
Metro Station: Tysons Corner (Silver Line)
Online Survey
The public is encouraged to provide feedback on the preliminary concepts and suggest other ideas through an online survey. The survey, available in English and Spanish, will be open through January 6, at www.wmata.com/BOSstudy.
SmarTrip™ Giveaway: Survey respondents may enter to win one of three $50 SmartTrip™ cards in a drawing to be held once the survey closes.
About the Study
Today customers on Metro’s Blue, Orange, and Silver lines experience delays, crowding, and congestion due to limitations in the system’s design. The three lines share one set of tracks from the Rosslyn tunnel, through downtown DC, to Stadium- Armory. This bottleneck limits the number of trains that can serve customers during rush hour. In addition, running three lines on one track requires precision, and even a minor problem with a single train can impact the entire rush hour for all three lines.
The BOS Study has identified several draft concepts to improve service and position Metro to serve the future needs of our region. Input from the public and stakeholders will help Metro evaluate the concepts and recommend a comprehensive strategy with a “locally-preferred alternative” to move forward with federal environmental review, design and funding in late 2020.
Click here to view preliminary concepts.
For More Information
To learn more about the project, upcoming open houses, and complete the online survey, visit the project website at www.wmata.com/BOSstudy.
Public participation is solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, gender, religion, disability or family status. If you require special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act or translation services (free of charge), contact the project team at 202-962-2511 (TTY: 202-962-2033) at least 48 hours prior to the open house date.