Metro News Release
For immediate release: November 20, 2004
Metro’s New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U Metrorail station opens today on the Red Line
First time in Metrorail’s 28-year history that a new station opens between two existing stations
Today, Saturday, November 20, at 10 a.m., the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro), the District of Columbia, and the New York Avenue partners marked a major milestone in the transit authority’s impressive 28-year history as Metro opens the New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U Metrorail Station on the Red Line. The ceremony to mark the opening of Metrorail’s 84th station was held at the station, located at 200 Florida Avenue, N.E.
"With today’s ceremony, Metro marks another milestone moment in its remarkable history,"stated Metro Board Member Gladys W. Mack. "This new station represents a true collaboration that is Metro. By working with area leaders in the public and private sector, we have collaboratively developed a world-class train station." The station heralds another first in Metro’s history. Called an "in-fill" station, it is the first station to be located between two existing and operating Metrorail stations, Union Station and Rhode Island Avenue.
"For the first time in Metro’s history, we have built an in-fill station between two operating stations on one of our busiest rail lines," noted Metro General Manager/CEO Richard A. White. "Now, the New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U Metrorail station is ready to open its doors to our customers. Our staff worked diligently to finish the station’s construction one month ahead of schedule and we think our customers will truly appreciate the benefits of this new station." In addition to Ms. Mack, and Mr. White, guests included Mayor Anthony A. Williams, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C. City Council Chairman Linda Cropp, City Council members, Metro Board members, locally elected officials, and business and community representatives.
The cost of the New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U Metrorail station was approximately $103.7 million. It was funded through a unique partnership that included the District of Columbia government ($53.7 million), the federal government ($25 million), and a special assessment district of area private land owners ($25 million). While the station does not add miles to the tracks in the rail system, it brings the total number of Metrorail stations in the regional system to 84.
"The opening of Metro’s newest rail station will expand economic development and prosperity to this part of Northeast Washington," stated Mayor Anthony A. Williams. "As a result, residents of Northeast Washington will have even greater access to rail and bus service, the benefits which will be felt for many years to come."
The new station will also be served by Metrobus lines 90, 92, 93 and X3, with eastbound service stopping at Florida Avenue, N.E., and westbound service stopping at 3rd Street, N.E.
Since the New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U Metrorail station is located in a highly urbanized district, parking will not be available.
The last five stations to open under Metrorail’s 103-mile system were on the Green Line: Congress Heights in the District of Columbia and Southern Avenue, Naylor Road, Suitland, and Branch Avenue in Prince George’s County all opened on January 13, 2001, also ahead of schedule.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) was created by an interstate compact in1967 to plan, develop, build, finance and operate a balanced regional transportation system in the national capital area. The Authority began building its rail system in 1969, acquired four regional bus systems in 1973, and began operating the first phase of Metrorail in 1976.
Today, Metrorail serves 84 stations, has 103 miles of track, and provides service from 5 a.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 5 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday, and 7 a.m. to midnight on Sunday. Metrobus serves the nation’s capital 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a- week with 1,457 buses. Metrorail and Metrobus serve a population of 3.4 million within a 1,500 square mile jurisdiction. For more information about Metro, including schedules and fares, visit Metro’s Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com.
News release issued on November 20, 2004.