Metro announces travel alternatives during spring platform reconstruction work
Metro will offer free shuttle bus service and other travel alternatives during the spring closure of Addison Road and Arlington Cemetery stations on the Blue and Silver lines, the transit agency announced today.
Addison Road and Arlington Cemetery will be closed from Saturday, Feb. 13 through Sunday, May 23, 2021, to allow for construction. The around-the-clock closures allow Metro to minimize service impacts across the regional network and restore normal service faster than would otherwise be possible. Service details, shuttle bus information and other travel alternatives are listed below and available at wmata.com/platforms.
To minimize the impact of construction at other stations, Metro is altering rail service patterns during construction February through May. Blue Line trains will not operate. Instead, additional Yellow Line trains will be provided between Franconia Springfield and Mt. Vernon Square via the Potomac River bridge. Customers who normally take the Blue Line should allow additional travel time or consider bus alternatives outlined below.
The work is part of Metro's multi-year Platform Improvement Project to reconstruct deteriorating platforms at 20 outdoor stations. The project is more than halfway complete, with platforms at the eleventh station, Reagan National Airport, now fully available for customer use as of December 13. Previously, six stations were completed on the Blue and Yellow lines in 2019, and four stations were reconstructed on the Orange Line in 2020.
"Despite our pandemic-related budget challenges, we must continue to prioritize safety-critical projects to keep the system reliable for the next generation of Metro customers," said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Wiedefeld. "We will work as quickly and safely as possible to complete this project and reopen stations for our customers. We've worked very closely with our regional partners to provide convenient travel alternatives during construction."
In addition to free shuttles that will operate between rail stations, Metro, in collaboration with regional officials and transportation agencies, is encouraging customers to consider regular-route bus service offered by Metrobus, Arlington Transit, and Fairfax Connector.
Rail Service Information
- No Blue Line trains will operate.
- Additional Yellow Line trains will operate between Franconia-Springfield and Mount Vernon Square stations at all times. (Yellow Line service between Huntington and Greenbelt is unaffected.)
- Customers traveling to downtown D.C. from stations south of Arlington Cemetery should board a Yellow Line train. Transfer at L'Enfant Plaza if necessary.
- Addison Road Station will be closed for construction. As a result, Silver Line trains will pass through the station without stopping.
- Silver Line trains will operate every 12 minutes on weekdays and every 15 minutes on weekends.
- Riders traveling between Largo Town Center and Rosslyn stations should use Silver Line trains.
Travel Alternatives
Free shuttle bus service will operate:
- Between Rosslyn, Arlington Cemetery (during operating hours), and Pentagon every 12-15 minutes
- Between Addison Road and Capitol Heights every 6-8 minutes
Customers may also consider the following regular-route bus service to get around the construction areas:
Northern Virginia
Metrobus
Arlington Transit
- 43: Service between Court House, Rosslyn & Crystal City (Non-stop between Rosslyn & Crystal City, operates Monday-Friday)
Fairfax Connector
- 599: Service between Reston, Pentagon & Crystal City, non-stop between Reston & the Pentagon (operates Monday-Friday; AM rush eastbound; PM rush westbound)
- 698: Non-stop service between Vienna Station & Pentagon (operates Monday-Friday; AM rush eastbound; PM rush westbound)
- 393, 394, 395, and 396: Peak (rush hour) service to Pentagon
- 310: All day service to Metrorail Yellow line and D.C.
- 306: Pentagon on Braddock Rd. (off peak)
Addison Road
Metrobus
- C21 & C22: Service between Addison Road & Largo Town Center stations (operates Monday-Friday)
- C29: Service between Addison Road & Largo Town Center stations (operates Saturday & Sunday)
- F14: Service between Naylor Road, Addison Rd, Capitol Heights & New Carrollton stations (operates Monday-Saturday)
"As the first locality impacted by Metro's Platform Improvement Project in 2019, Alexandria understands both the critical need for these infrastructure improvements and the temporary inconveniences they may cause," said Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson. "We encourage everyone to allow extra travel time and stay informed about changes as platform work progresses."
"Metrorail is the core of our regional transit system and Fairfax County supports the essential repairs and upgrades WMATA continues to undertake to ensure the system is equipped to serve riders for years to come," said Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. "I appreciate the patience of Fairfax County residents, employers and visitors as this important work is being done. Now is the time to plan your travel and explore options that work for you."
"It is so important that WMATA is continuing the planned reconstruction of stations in Arlington and elsewhere for which funds were already allocated," Arlington County Board Chair Libby Garvey said. "Metro remains essential to Arlington and the region, and critical infrastructure repairs must continue, even as WMATA grapples with the budget crisis triggered by the pandemic. We regret that riders will experience more inconvenience, and thank them for their patience as Metro continues to try to move forward in these very difficult circumstances."
Parking
During construction, parking fees will not be charged at Addison Road Station as a courtesy to customers.
About the Platform Improvement Project
Metro's Platform Improvement Project is dedicated to making platforms safer and more accessible for all customers. As part of this multi-year project, Metro is rebuilding deteriorated platforms at 20 outdoor Metrorail stations. There are nine remaining stations scheduled for platform reconstruction: Addison Rd and Arlington Cemetery in Spring 2021; Greenbelt, College Park- University of Maryland, Prince George's Plaza, and West Hyattsville in Summer 2021; and New Carrollton, Landover, and Cheverly in Summer 2022.
As the station platforms are reconstructed, Metro is using the time to make improvements that enhance customer experience with a higher level of safety, accessibility and convenience. Key customer experience improvements include new slip-resistant tiles, brighter energy-efficient LED lighting, larger digital display screens, new stainless-steel platform shelters with charging ports and new surveillance systems.
Metro's Capital Improvement Program
Metro is investing in system safety, reliability and the region's economy through its 10-year, $15 billion capital program. For the first time in Metro's history, the capital program is bolstered by dedicated funding from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. The capital program will improve the customer experience and keep the region's infrastructure in a state of good repair by investing in new railcars and buses, improving stations and platforms, upgrading fire-suppression and emergency response systems, replacing and repairing tracks, tunnels, bridges, signals and communications systems, rebuilding decades-old bus garages and providing modern customer amenities such as passenger information systems. In spending local taxpayer dollars for capital projects, Metro is seeking to reinvest in our hometown economy, creating jobs and encouraging participation from disadvantaged, minority-owned, and small businesses in the region.