Home | View Alternatives |  About This Study | Get Involved | Documents and FAQs | En Español

Study Purpose

Metro launched the Blue/Orange/Silver Corridor Capacity & Reliability Study (BOS Study) in 2019 to identify potential solutions to address capacity, reliability, and customer needs on those three Metrorail lines. Following extensive community outreach, public meeting, and work with the community and local jurisdictions, Metro has come up with a set of potential infrastructure and operational improvements that will ensure quality service while meeting the needs of the growing region.

Peak-hour trains on these three lines were dangerously crowded before the COVID-19 pandemic, and projected growth in households and jobs means overcrowding will likely occur again in the future. Population and jobs along the BOS lines are projected to grow more than 30% by 2040. But Metro cannot run enough trains to handle that growth as long as the three lines run through the same tunnel. This poses significant challenges for Metro's capacity, reliability, flexibility, and sustainability.

The BOS Study was created to develop and evaluate a range of options to meet those needs. Based on the needs and goals, Metro has identified six alternatives for further evaluation. Metro's Board of Directors will then select a "Locally-Preferred Alternative" (LPA), based on data analysis, stakeholder and jurisdictional input, and public feedback. The LPA is intended to address regional problems, so it must be a regional solution.

The LPA needs to achieve four goals for the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines:

Next Steps

The study team recently completed a comparative performance assessment and cost-benefit analysis (CBA) for six potential alternatives. Those alternatives will undergo a third and final round of public engagement, including online workshops, surveys, and other opportunities to share your feedback that will help Metro's Board of Directors select a Locally-Preferred Alternative (LPA). Please visit the Alternatives tab for more details.

Keep in touch

For project updates, join our project mailing list and follow us on social media.