Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Construction

Page updated on Jul 30, 2021 at 3:52 PM

Project Overview


PROJECT STATUS: Construction

SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION: 2022 (Projected)

APPROVED BUDGET: $370 million

LOCATION: The 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.

What's Happening On-site?

Watch time-lapse video of the station under construction!

Construction Activity Alerts

After-hours Construction Activity Schedule

Potomac Yard Constructors (PYC) will be conducting after-hours construction activity on the following dates:

See Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Plans and Permits.

Please see the WMATA Track Work webpage for information on Metro service impacts.


July 30 – August 1, 2021 Status: Pending
Description: Bridge Conduit Installation
Start Date: July 30, 2021
End Date: August 1, 2021
Work Hours: 6 PM – 7 AM
Location: Station and North Pavilion site area and the rail corridor (adjacent to Potomac Avenue)
What Residents Can Expect:

  • Work Site: Light tower, and boom lift noise throughout the night. PYC will ensure the light towers and boom lifts are in place during daytime hours to minimize the noise and equipment alarms during nighttime hours. Without compromising a safe working environment, the light towers will be pointed away from residents’ homes as much as practicable.

  • At 2601 Main Line Yard: Employee parking, use of office facilities, generators.

 

August 6 – August 9, 2021 Status: Pending

August 13 – August 16, 2021 Status: Pending
Description: Communications and Signals Upgrades
Start Date: August 6, 2021
End Date: August 9, 2021

Start Date: August 13, 2021
End Date: August 16, 2021
Work Hours: 6 PM Friday – 7 AM Monday
Location:  On WMATA Roadway (tracks), but sites on Carpenter Road Entrance, Potomac Greens Drive, and Main Line Blvd will be operational for support work
What Residents Can Expect:

  • Site Wide: Excavator, train, light tower, and dump truck noise throughout the night. PYC will do it’s best to ensure the light towers are in place during daytime hours, but this work will move along the WMATA tracks, so relocation of equipment will be required throughout the night. Without compromising a safe working environment, the light towers will be pointed away from residents’ homes as much as practicable. 

  • At 2601 Main Line Yard: Employee parking, use of office facilities, generators, movement of equipment, loading/unloading trucks

 

August 1 – August 31, 2021 Status: Pending

Description:  Early Concrete Placement
Start Date: August 1, 2021
End Date: August 31, 2021

Work Hours: 6 AM Monday - Friday
Location:  Carpenter Road Entrance, Potomac Greens Drive, and Potomac Ave site entrances

What Residents Can Expect:

  • Site Wide: Trucks will be arriving on site early; the gate will be open so no idling or staging of trucks adjacent to residences.  The truck drivers will be directed to proceed directly into the site down to the area of placement away from the residences.  Minimal use of light towers will be required. Without compromising a safe working environment, the light towers will be pointed away from residents’ homes as much as practicable.


July 6 - 31, 2021Status: Permitted
Description: Installation of concrete
Start Date: July 6, 2021
End Date: July 31, 2021
Work Hours: Monday - Friday: 5 AM - 6 PM
Location: Carpenter Dr. site entrance
What Residents Can Expect:

  • Trucks will be arriving on site in the early morning. The gate will be open to prevent the idling or staging of trucks adjacent to residences. Truck drivers will be directed to proceed directly into the site down to the north end of the project away from the residences. Light towers shall be pointed away from residents’ homes as much as practicable without compromising a safe working environment.


July 9 - 25, 2021 Status: Permitted
Description: Installation of signal upgrades and communications conduit.
Start Date: July 9, 2021
End Date: July 25, 2021
Work Hours: Friday at 6 PM - Monday at 7 AM
Location: Activity will take place along the WMATA Roadway (tracks) with support activity occurring on Potomac Greens Drive and Main Line Blvd.
What Residents Can Expect:
  • Site-Wide: Excavator, train, light tower, and dump truck noise throughout the night. PYC will do it’s best to ensure the light towers are in place during daytime hours, but this work will move along the WMATA tracks, so relocation of equipment will be required throughout the night. Light towers will be pointed away from residents’ homes as much as practicable without compromising a safe working environment.
  • 2601 Main Line Blvd.: Employee parking, use of office facilities, generators, movement of equipment, loading/unloading trucks


Construction News

JUly 30, 2021 UPDATE

Construction Work

The dates and work duration periods associated with the following construction work updates are anticipated only and may be subject to change due to weather. 

AC Switchgear Building
Activity: Mounting junction boxes & starting conduit install.      

  • Timeframe: Ongoing

Activity: Preparations for installation of brick veneer.     
  • Timeframe: Ongoing


Duct Banks

Activity: Excavation and installation of communication, ATC, and TP duct banks (north end of station) (pour, strip duct bank frame, and back fill).

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


North Pavilion

Activity: Installation of electrical and plumbing anchors and installation

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


Activity: Install under roof deck drain pipe and conduit     

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


Pedestrian Bridge 

Activity: Installation of conduit and decking (from Knuckle to Headhouse)

  • Timeframe: Ongoing

Activity: Southwest: Form and pour columns.

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


Site Work

Activity: South End: Installation of storm drain system (pipes and manholes)

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


Activity: North End: Excavate for NE emergency ramps and storm drain system

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


South Pavilion  

Activity: No Activity

  • Timeframe:   


Station Headhouse

Activity: Mezzanine Level: Installation of roof decking, and escalator roof; continued bolting and steel welding

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


Activity: Platform Level: Installation of dowel for CMU block and clips, & roof installation

  • Timeframe: Ongoing

Activity: Basement Level: Installation of conduit in crawlspace, FSP, plumbing, and electrical conduit

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


Activity: Curtain wall frame assembly and layout of connections

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


Station Platform

Activity: Installation of rebar for direct fixation slab and first slab pour

  • Timeframe: Ongoing

Activity: Weld, bolt and deck.

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


Station Platform

Activity: Pour direct fixation slabs 

  • Timeframe: Ongoing 
     

2601 Main Line Blvd.

Activity: Sub-contractor work trailer

  • Timeframe: Ongoing
  • Note: Generator in use to supply power to trailers.


Activity: Worker van service to/from construction site

  • Timeframe: Ongoing

Activity: Construction material staging

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


ALL PRIOR CONSTRUCTION UPDATES CAN BE FOUND IN THE CONSTRUCTION UPDATES ARCHIVE.

Construction Photo Gallery

Recent Activity

The following are photos from construction of the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station:

Construction of Direct Fixation Slab

Construction of Direct Fixation Slab 1

Forming Escalator Walls Platform Level

2. Forming escalator walls platform level

Grading for North Emergency Egress Ramp

3. Grading for North Emergency Egress Ramp

Shoring Tower for Pedestrian Bridge (Knuckle to North Pavilion)

4. Shoring Tower for Pedestrian Bridge Knuckle to North Pavilion


View A Collection of Photos from the First Year of Construction

Project Schedule

PYMS Construction - Construction Schedule 2021.03.22

Current as of March 22, 2021

Plans and Permits

See the approved plans and permits for the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station, including:

Haul Routes

See the Approved Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Project Haul Routes

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 Brian Whiteley at 703.746.4091.


Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the image.

2601 Main Line Blvd Map

Construction Noise Variances

See a list of the construction noise variances issued for this project


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

Pile driving is allowed:

Monday - Friday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 


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.


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