2019 Metrorail Platform Improvement Project

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is closing all Metrorail stations south of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2019 for critical station platform restoration. The City of Alexandria is working with WMATA to mitigate the impact of the Platform Improvement Project on Alexandria residents and visitors.

Page updated on May 8, 2019 at 5:06 PM
Eisenhower MEtro pic

The City of Alexandria understands the need for investment in the Metrorail system to get it back to a state of good repair. We also recognize that the three-month closure of stations in Alexandria and Fairfax County will be challenging for riders. Using lessons learned during SafeTrack, the City of Alexandria is working on measures to mitigate the impact on Alexandria riders and provide transportation alternatives.

What's New

The City of Alexandria is requesting input from residents, businesses and commuters on its draft mitigation plan to address a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) project that will close Alexandria Metrorail stations this summer. 

PIP_logoWhat is the Platform Improvement Project?

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), which operates the Metrorail, Metrobus, and MetroAccess system in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, is closing all Metrorail stations south of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station from May 25 through September 9. This will allow WMATA to address reconstruction of three outdoor station platforms. In addition to the platform work, there will be repairs to the Van Dorn Metro platform in September 2019. This work will involve significant single-tracking on the Blue Line.

WMATA is taking steps to lessen disruptions related to this project. The work was scheduled for the summer months, when ridership is at its lowest.

Time to Complete Work graphic

Performing continuous work by closing stations for three-month periods over the next three years actually lessens the long-term impact to riders. Conducting this work on weekends and during overnight hours would take approximately 30 years to complete what is planned. If work continues 24/7, it should bring these stations back to a state of good repair.

Read more about WMATA’s efforts to reduce platform work impacts.

What is the City of Alexandria doing to help?

While WMATA was solely responsible for the platform repair plan, the City of Alexandria and other localities in the region are working together to provide resources to help plan for and mitigate impacts. Read the October presentation to Alexandria City Council about the repairs to learn more.

  • City and DASH officials have been actively working on alternatives to help commuters avoid impacts, including special bus shuttles and parking options. As additional details are confirmed, they will be posted to this page.
  • City departments are developing telework and alternate work schedule plans for their staff to reduce the number of employees who need to commute and to offset commuting times.
  •  The City is encouraging private employers in our community to proactively address commuting issues with their employees, including providing telework and alternate work schedule options when possible.

What can you do?

STAY INFORMED

MAKE A PLAN

  • Determine alternatives for your commutes during the platform repair project, using the City's trip tools page, which includes information from WMATA, DASH, and other area transit providers. 

For questions and additional information, contact GO Alex staff at goalex@alexandriava.gov.

Top