Metro News Release

For immediate release: January 13, 2009

Several Metrorail stations to be entry/exit only on Inauguration Day


Change to improve passenger flow

Several downtown Metrorail stations entrances will be designated as exit-only or entry-only, to move as many people as possible into and out of the Metrorail system on Inauguration Day.

“Our goal is to move as many people as we can to and from the events on the National Mall on Inauguration Day,” said Gerald Francis, Metro’s Deputy General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. “By designating select station entrances as exit-only or entry-only, we believe we can move people out of these stations in a more timely, and efficient manner.”

Multiple-entry stations impacted include Stadium-Armory, Metro Center, Farragut North, Gallery Place-Chinatown, L’Enfant Plaza and Union Station.

These five stations will be exit-only from 4 to 10:30 a.m.: Federal Triangle, Federal Center SW, Farragut West, Capitol South and McPherson Square. These stations are located within a 10-minute walk of another Metro station that will be open for entry.

On Inauguration Day, Metro encourages riders to listen to station announcements, pay attention to signs at stations designated exit-only, or entry-only, and to listen to Metro personnel positioned on station platforms and mezzanines directing people which direction they should exit.

“In addition to these changes, and in anticipation of unprecedented crowds in the Metrorail system on Inauguration Day, we also encourage riders not to transfer at Metro Center, Gallery Pl-Chinatown or L’Enfant Plaza,” said Francis. “Reducing transfers at these three stations will ease some of the congestion.”

People can also sign up for special e-alerts, dedicated to the Inauguration, on Metro’s Web site at http://www.wmata.com/inauguration. E-alerts will be issued when Metro has news relating to service for the Inauguration, and, perhaps more importantly, when there may be service disruptions during the course of the four-day Inauguration Weekend.

For the complete list of Metrorail stations designated as exit or entry-only, please see below.
Metrorail Stations Designated as Exit-or Entrance-Only
on Inauguration Day, Jan. 20, 2009

Stadium-Armory – Blue and Orange Line
Entrance Location Entry/Exit Time
19th and Independence SE (Stadium-Armory side) Entrance Only 4 a.m. to 1 p.m.
19th and Independence SE (Stadium-Armory side) Exit Only TBD
19th between C and Burke St SE (Hospital Side) Entry and Exit All day

Metro Center – Red, Blue and Orange Line
Entrance Location Entry/Exit Time
13th and G St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
11th and G St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
12th and F St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx 10:30 a.m.
12th and G St NW Entry and Exit All day

Farragut North – Red Line
Entrance Location Entry/Exit Time
Conn and K St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
Conn and L St NW (northwest) Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
Conn. and L St. NW (northeast) Entry and Exit All day

Gallery Pl-Chinatown – Red, Yellow and Green Line
Entrance Location Entry/Exit Time
9th and G St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
7th and H St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
7th and F St NW Entry and Exit All day

L’Enfant Plaza – Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green Line
Entrance Location Entry/Exit Time
7th and Maryland Ave SW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
*All Blue and Orange Line riders exiting at L’Enfant Plaza will be directed to exit from the 7th and D St., SW, and 9th and D St., SW.

Union Station – Red Line
Entrance Location Entry/Exit Time
1st NE (north side) Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
Massachusetts Ave SE (south side) Entry and Exit All day. Riders must enter Union Station Mall to access entrance

The following Metrorail stations are designated exit-only
from 4 a.m. to approximately 10:30 a.m.

Federal Triangle – Blue and Orange Line
Federal Center SW – Blue and Orange Line
Farragut West – Blue and Orange Line
Capitol South – Blue and Orange Line
McPherson Square – Blue and Orange Line

News release issued at 4:40 pm, January 13, 2009.