Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Construction

Page updated on Sep 23, 2020 at 9:13 PM

Project Overview


PROJECT STATUS: Pre-Construction

SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION: 2022 (Projected)

APPROVED BUDGET: $320 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.

Construction News

**Before-Hours COnstruction Activity Alert**

Potomac Yard Constructors (PYC) has been issued a noise variance permit for before-hours construction. Workers will be placing concrete for the station structure. Early access via the Carpenter Drive site entrance is required due to the size of the placements and the time necessary for concrete finishing.

  • Dates: September 9 – October 31, 2020
  • Days of the week: Monday – Friday, not including holidays
  • Hours Permitted: 5 – 7 AM
  • Location: Carpenter Drive site entrance.
  • What Residents Can Expect: Trucks will be arriving on site early. 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 and continue to north end of the project away from the residences.  Light towers may be required. If so, the Contractor will ensure the towers are pointed away from residents’ homes as much as possible.
  • Contact Information:
    • On-site contact: Matt Prpich with PYC, 201.713.6429 (available during early hours construction)
    • City Inspector: Brian Whiteley, Department of Project Implementation, 703.656.6025 (available during regular City business hours)

Read the letter distributed to residents about this activity.

Learn more about Potomac Yard Metrorail Station project construction noise variances.



September 23, 2020 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: Forming and pouring walls
  • Timeframe: Through early October


North Pavilion
Activity: Installation of grade beam caps and pit slabs

  • Timeframe: Ongoing           



South Pavilion
Activity: Site survey work

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


Station Headhouse, Platform and Mezzanine  
Activity: Formation of headhouse and platform foundation walls,  columns, and slabs

  • Timeframe: Ongoing

Activity: Installation of duct bank

  • Timeframe: Ongoing

   

Knuckle Pier
Activity: Formwork for the top beam

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


2601 Main Line Blvd.
Activity: Worker van service to/from construction site

  • Timeframe: Ongoing

Activity: Construction material staging

  • Timeframe: Ongoing


Construction Gallery

The following are photos from work recently completed on the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station site:

PYMS Construction - Foundation Formwork 2020.09.10

North Pavilion Foundation Formwork


PYMS Construction - North Pavilion Looking Southeast 2020.09.23

North Pavilion Looking Towards the Knuckle Pier         


PYMS Construction - North Pavilion from the Knuckle 2020.09.18

North Pavilion from the Knuckle Pier


PYMS Construction - Station Site from the Knuckle Pier 2020.09.23

Station Site from the Knuckle Pier


PYMS Construction - Station Headhouse Looking South

Looking South from the Station Headhouse


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

Project Schedule

Potomac Yard Metrorail Station Construction Schedule 2020.09.02

Current as of June 29, 2020

Board of Architectural Review (BAR) Approvals

The project completed the BAR review process on February 19, 2020: 

  • February 19
    • Glass handrail details
    • Metal louver connection details
    • North Pavilion – stone wall, glazing and lintels
  • January 22
    • Downspout shape and connection details
    • Exoskeleton paint finish
    • Security fence/barrier
    • Retaining wall at east access road
  • December 4
    • Lighting
    • Downspout and gutter locations
    • Pedestrian bridge handrail
  • 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  

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.

The project's VWP Permit 19-0170 Construction Status Update Forms and Weekly Inspection Checklists are available here.


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.

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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