2022-2023 Metrorail Impacts

Two large Metro projects will impact rail service in Alexandria during portions of 2022 and 2023.
- From Sept. 10 to Oct. 22, 2022, Metro will temporarily suspend rail service south of the National Airport station as it works to connect Alexandria's new Potomac Yard station with the rest of the system.
- From September 2022 through spring of 2023, Metro will suspend Yellow Line service between the Pentagon and L'Enfant Plaza stations for its Yellow Line Tunnel and Bridge Rehabilitation project.
The City of Alexandria is working with Metro to mitigate disruption and help residents and visitors make travel plans during these periods. Read below for more information on each project, and available travel alternatives during both service periods.
Updates and Information
- On June 15, WMATA released their Travel Alternatives Mitigation Plan
- View the City's May 2022 presentation to City Council about both the Potomac Yard and Yellow Line projects
- Visit the City's Potomac Yard Metrorail construction page
- Read Metro's March 2021 press release announcing efforts to fast-track Yellow Line repairs
- Read Metro's March 2022 press release announcing the details of the Yellow Line Tunnel and Bridge project
- Read Metro's response to the City of Alexandria's inquiry about service disruptions during Metro's Potomac Yard and Yellow Line work
- Read the City's final report following the 2019 Platform Improvement Project, a Metro project with similar service impacts
Connecting the Potomac Yard Metrorail Station
Between Sept. 10 and Oct. 22, 2022, Metro will temporarily shut down all stations south of National Airport as it works to connect the new Potomac Yard Metro station to the existing rail system. The station is expected to open this fall. For more information about the status of the project, visit the City's Potomac Yard Metrorail Construction page.
Rail, Shuttle, and Bus Service Changes (Sept. 10 - Oct. 22)

RAIL
- No rail service south of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station
- No Yellow Line service, but Yellow Line stations north of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station will be served by the Blue or Green lines
- Additional Blue Line service, with trains departing every seven to nine minutes from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and New Carrollton stations (every 15 minutes after 9:30 p.m.)
- Blue Line customers traveling between Pentagon and L’Enfant Plaza stations should plan on approximately 15 minutes of extra travel time
- Green Line trains will operate every eight minutes (every 10 minutes after 9:30 p.m.)
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Note: If 7000-series trains remain out of service, trains will operate less frequently
BUS AND SHUTTLE
Seven free shuttles will be offered, including local and express shuttles in Virginia and three limited-stop shuttles crossing the Potomac River.
- Local shuttles will be available during all Metrorail operating hours.
- Blue Line Local: Local service between Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn St, King St-Old Town, Braddock Rd, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport stations every 10-20 minutes
- Yellow Line Local: Local service between Huntington, Eisenhower Ave, King St-Old Town, Braddock Rd, and Crystal City stations every 10-15 minutes. Yellow Line shuttles do not stop at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station
- Express shuttles will be available most of the day (from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m weekends).
- Blue Line Express: Franconia-Pentagon Express service between Franconia-Springfield and Pentagon stations every 6 minutes
- Yellow Line Express: Huntington-Pentagon Express service between Huntington and Pentagon stations every 6 minutes
- Limited shuttles will be available during weekday rush hours only.
- VA-DC Shuttle 1: Crystal City-L'Enfant Service between Crystal City, Pentagon City, Smithsonian, and L’Enfant Plaza stations every 12 minutes. Shuttle does not stop at Pentagon Station
- VA-DC Shuttle 2: Pentagon-Archives Service between Pentagon, Smithsonian, and Archives stations every 12 minutes
- VA-DC Shuttle 3: Mt. Vernon-Potomac Park (11Y Route) Service between Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, and Potomac Park every 20 minutes. Peak direction service only
For more information, and trip planning assistance, visit Metro's Trip Planner.
Yellow Line Tunnel and Bridge Rehabilitation Project
Beginning September 10, and running concurrently with the Potomac Yard connection work, Metro will begin its planned rehabilitation of the Yellow Line tunnel and bridge that connect the line's Virginia and DC stations. This project will involve an 8-month continuous shutdown of the Yellow Line, between the Pentagon and L'Enfant Plaza stations. Although Yellow Line service between the two stations will be suspended, the stations themselves will remain open. Metro estimates that the project will be completed in the spring of 2023. To learn more, read Metro's March announcement of the Yellow Line Tunnel and Bridge project.
Rail, Shuttle, and Bus Service Changes (Oct. 23 - Spring 2023)

RAIL
- No Yellow Line service. but all stations will reopen, and service will resume south of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station
- All Yellow Line stations will be served by the Blue or Green lines
- Blue Line trains will operate every 12 minutes between Largo Town Center and Franconia-Springfield stations and every 12 minutes between Huntington and New Carrollton stations (every 15 minutes after 9:30 p.m.)
- Normal Orange and Silver Line service
- Green Line trains will operate every eight minutes (every 10 minutes after 9:30 p.m.)
Note: If 7000-series trains remain out of service, trains will operate less frequently
BUS AND SHUTTLE
Metro will provide three limited-stop shuttles crossing the Potomac River during weekday rush hours only.
- VA-DC Shuttle 1: Crystal City-L'Enfant: Service between Crystal City, Pentagon City, Smithsonian, and L’Enfant Plaza stations every 12 minutes. Shuttle does not stop at Pentagon Station
- VA-DC Shuttle 2: Pentagon-Archives: Service between Pentagon, Smithsonian, and Archives stations every 12 minutes
- VA-DC Shuttle 3: Mt. Vernon-Potomac Park (11Y Route): Service between Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, and Potomac Park every 20 minutes. Peak direction service only
In addition to free shuttle service, the following options are available:
- 16Y Metrobus Columbia Pike-Farragut Square Line (between Barcroft and McPherson Square with frequency enhancements)
- Metroway
- Virginia Railway Express: Service is available at Franconia-Springfield, King St-Old Town (VRE Station Alexandria), Crystal City, and L’Enfant Plaza stations.
See the Travel Options section of this page for additional alternatives; for trip planning assistance, visit Metro's Trip Planner.
Alternative Travel Options
Alexandria residents and visitors have a variety of additional options available to them during the 2022 and 2023 Metro service impacts. Get around by bicycle, scooter, commuter train, or even boat. Need additional help with trip planning? Visit alexandriava.gov/GOAlex to learn more about your transit options.
BUS
DASH and King Street Trolley
Alexandria Transit Company’s DASH bus system provides safe, reliable, and courteous bus service within the City of Alexandria! DASH connects with Metrobus, Metrorail, Virginia Railway Express, and all local bus systems.
Metrobus
Bus service operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) servicing Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Fairfax Connector
Local bus system that provides service within Fairfax County, and connects to Metrobus, Metrorail stations, Virginia Railway Express, and other local bus systems.
OmniRide
PRTC provides commuter bus service along the I-95 and I-66 corridors to points north and local bus services in Prince William County and the cities of Manassas and Manassas Park.
Best Bus
Bus service that offers routes from Franconia-Springfield to Dupont Circle and Union Station.
Greyhound
Bus service that offers a route from Franconia-Springfield to Union Station.
BICYCLES AND SCOOTERS
Alexandria Bikeways Network Map
This map includes on and off-street bikeways, Capital Bikeshare stations, safety tips, useful phone numbers and resources, and more.
Capital Bikeshare Stations
With Capital Bikeshare, you can choose from nearly 400 stations in the region, and return a bike to any station near your destination.
Dockless Mobility (eBikes/Scooters)
Private companies operate shared mobility devices (such as dockless bicycles and scooters available for rent) in Alexandria as part of a pilot program.
Metro Bicycle Policy
Bicycles are welcome on Metrorail during all hours; however, they are not allowed on crowded railcars.
VRE Bicycle Policy
Collapsible bicycles are permitted on all trains. Full-size bicycles will only be allowed on the last three northbound, the mid-day, and the last three southbound trains on each line.
RAIL OPTIONS
VRE
Rail system that provides commuter-oriented rail service from the Northern Virginia suburbs to Alexandria, Crystal City, and downtown Washington, D.C., along the I-66 and I-95 corridors.
Amtrak
Service that connects to Union Station.
CARPOOLS AND VANPOOLS
Enterprise
Service that allows you to share a ride to work with coworkers who live nearby. Enterprise provides a recent-model SUV, crossover, or van. Everyone splits the costs and driving duties, saving you valuable time and money.
OmniMatch
A free, personalized ride-matching service for carpoolers and vanpoolers. Through the use of an extensive regional database, OmniMatch links commuters who have similar work hours, origination, and destination points.
Waze Carpool
An app that allows carpoolers to choose riders & drivers based on profiles, star ratings, distance, and price.
Vanpool Alliance
A public-private partnership to support vanpool riders and providers in northern Virginia.
Slug Lines
Drivers volunteer to pick up riders for free to meet the three-person requirement on HOV-3 lanes; riders volunteer to ride with the drivers for a free ride.
WATER TAXI
Potomac Riverboat Company
Water commute connecting Alexandria to DC via the Potomac River.