Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Construction

This new page will serve as a dashboard for news and information about all Potomac Yard Metrorail Station project site activity.

Page updated on Nov 8, 2019 at 12:25 PM

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.

Learn more about the history of Potomac Yard and the Potomac Yard Small Area Plan.

Construction News

NOVEMBER 5, 2019 Update

Metro's contractor, Potomac Yard Constructors (PYC), continues to prepare for construction of the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station.

The following activities are anticipated to occur through the end of November:  

Traffic Circle Demolition

The demolition of the Potomac Greens traffic circle is still on hold pending the removal of a power pole by Dominion. We will provide an updated timeline once additional details are available.

Work is anticipated to take two weeks once it begins. PYC still plans to implement the following the Maintenance of Traffic (MOT) plan: 

Click on each thumbnail to enlarge the image.

Potomac Greens Circle Demolition MOT Image 1 Potomac Greens Circle Demolition MOT Image 2 Potomac Greens Circle Demolition MOT Image 3


AC Switchgear Building

Site excavation activity will continue into November. Workers are installing the grounding grid, as well as forming and placing the foundation footings.


Permits and Approvals

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.


United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 
The USACE is completing its review of the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Joint Permit Application. Staff anticipates the Army Corps will announce its decision in the coming weeks.


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. Staff anticipates plans for the exoskeleton finish and lighting design will be presented for consideration at the next meeting on December 4, 2019.

The following design elements have been approved by the BAR:

  • October 16
    • 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  


Station Construction

Activity associated with the establishment of a work zone in wetland area is on hold pending receipt of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) permit.



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 take place during a three-week period between mid-November and mid-December. We understand this coincides with the holiday season and will provide a schedule update once more information is available.



The full presentation and a video of the meeting are available on the PYMIG webpage at alexandriava.gov/PotomacMetroWorkGroup.

Next PYMIG Meeting: Tuesday, November 19 from 7 – 9 p.m. at the Charles Houston Recreation Center Multi-Purpose Room



Project Activity Completed to Date

Site Preparation

  • Office complex established and occupied
  • Work zone at Carpenter Rd. established
  • Non-wetland areas cleared
  • Station design continued
  • Documentation of existing conditions completed

AC Switchgear Building

  • Access road to AC Switchgear building installed
  • Subgrade-depth excavation at AC Switchgear building completed
  • Electrical duct bank and conduit stub outs installed


2601 Main Line Blvd.

  • Parking lot grading completed
  • Infrastructure installation started
  • Fencing and mesh wrap installed
  • Parking lot and temporary sidewalks paved
  • Access ramps installed


All prior construction updates can be found in the Construction Updates Archive.

Project Schedule

PYMS Construction - Look Ahead Schedule 2019.10.24

Current as of October 31, 2019

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.

2601 Main Line Blvd Map

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.


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