Project Overview
PROJECT STATUS: Pre-Construction
SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION: 2022 (Projected)
APPROVED BUDGET: $320 million
PROPOSED LOCATION: The proposed Potomac Yard Metrorail Station site is located approximately midway between the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Braddock Road Stations along Metrorail's existing Blue and Yellow Lines. The area is bordered by the George Washington Memorial Parkway to the east and northeast, the Potomac Greens neighborhood to the south, and active CSX tracks, Potomac Avenue, and Potomac Yard Shopping Center to the west and northwest.
Virtual tours of the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station from Summer 2019 are available to view online:
Learn more about the history of Potomac Yard and the Potomac Yard Small Area Plan.
Construction News
january 17, 2019 Update
The following activities are anticipated to occur through the end of January and into February:
Traffic Circle Demolition
The demolition of the Potomac Greens traffic circle has begun. Dominion has started to remove the streetlight. Work will resume once this process is complete.
After demolition, the flow of traffic will follow the Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan below:
Click on each thumbnail to enlarge the image.
North Pavilion
Activity at the North Pavilion site will continue and include:
- Relocation of the storm line (through the end of January)
- Initiation of pile driving (late January/early February)
AC Switchgear Building
Workers will continue to form and place concrete for the building foundation.
Station Platform and Mezzanine
Construction of the access road is underway. Fill operations are anticipated to begin in late January.
City of Alexandria Board of Architectural Review (BAR)
The City continues to review station design elements with the BAR to ensure they comply with City requirements. The next Potomac Yard Metrorail Station presentation will occur at the meeting on Wednesday, January 22, 2020.
The following design elements have been approved by the BAR:
- December 4
- Lighting
- Downspout and gutter locations
- Pedestrian bridge handrail
- October 16
- North pavilion: footprint, mass, scale, and height
- North pavilion: footprint, mass, scale, and height
- September 4
- Bridge, platform, and mezzanine: mass, scale, and materials sample board
- July 24
- Piers, mezzanine, platform roofs: mass and scale
- July 10
- Project architectural character, footprint, scale, and height
Related Questions from PYMIG Meetings:
Fill Operations
What is PYC going to use for site fill?
PYC will bring in clean fill from a quarry.
How long will fill operations take?
Fill operations will occur over several months in periodic three-week segments.
Pile Driving
When is pile driving going to start and for how long?
Pile driving for the north pavilion and bridge pier is expected to occur in late January and into February.
All prior construction updates can be found in the Construction Updates Archive.
Project Schedule
Current as of January 15, 2020
State and Federal Permits
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
The State Water Control Board Meeting took place on Friday, September 6, 2019. The Board unanimously approved the Virginia Water Protection Permit for the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality issued a Virginia Water Protection (VWP) Individual Permit to the City that day.
The permit and a fact sheet can be found on the Updates and Reports web page.
United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) issued a Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 permit to the City of Alexandria for the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station project on November 15, 2019.
The permit and related documents can be found on the Updates and Reports web page.
PYC Parking
Location: 2601 Main Line Blvd.
PYC is required to provide off-street parking for their workers, trucks, and trailers as a condition of the Development Special Use Permit (DSUP) approved by City Council. This lot will be located at 2601 Main Line Blvd., which is on an undeveloped block bordered by Main Line Blvd. to the west, Potomac Ave. to the east, Maskell St. to the north, and Swann Ave. to the south. The only point of access will be off Potomac Ave.
Construction site workers will be transported to and from the construction site via private shuttles. They will not be allowed to park and access the site from the street. The shuttle, construction vehicles, and the transportation of other project resources must follow approved haul routes.
If you witness a violation of these rules, please contact Jason Scofi at jason.scofi@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.4060.
Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the image.
Haul Routes
See the Approved Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project Haul Routes
Construction Noise
Construction noise in the City of Alexandria is regulated through the Section 11-5 (Noise Control) of the City Code.
Use of construction devices and power equipment is allowed:
- Monday - Friday: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday: Prohibited
All construction is prohibited on the following holidays:
- New Year's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
Additional information about the City’s Noise Control code, including the hours permitted for special construction activities, after hours work, decibel level specifications, and how to lodge a complaint, can be found on the City’s Noise Control page.
Questions and Comments
Please direct your questions and comments to Daphne Kott, Department of Project Implementation Design Division Chief, at 703.746.4055.