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 Mar 7, 2019 at 10:22 AM
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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.

  • Read the City of Alexandria's draft mitigation plan for the Platform Improvement Project
  • Submit your comments on the City's draft mitigation plan (comments open until March 20)
    Correction: Regular DASH service will not be free during the Platform Improvement Project work (May 25 to Sept. 2). The City’s draft mitigation plan has been updated to clarify the proposed enhancements to DASH service during this time.
  • Visit WMATA's newly launched project web page, wmata.com/platforms, for addititonal information
  • Read WMATA's March 5 press release on travel options during the project

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 between Memorial Day and Labor Day 2019. 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 for next three years. 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 information below:

Bus Bridge

  • Metrorail to operate four shuttles, two of which enter Alexandria
    • Shuttle 2 leaves Reagan National Airport, stops at King St and Washington St, then serves Van Dorn St. and Franconia-Springfield 
    • Shuttle 4 leaves Crystal City Metrorail Station, then stops at King St, Eisenhower Ave, and Huntington St 
    • Shuttle 1 and 3 go between the Pentagon and end stations in Fairfax County (Franconia Springfield and Huntington). They do not service Alexandria 
    • Shuttle routes and where to find the bus are coming soon

Rail

  • Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) serve Alexandria Union Station (110 Callahan Dr.), which is adjacent to the King Street-Old Town Metro Station but does not use MetroRail tracks.

Bike

  • Bike to work using Alexandria's extensive bike routes and paths. For more information, see Alexandria’s Bike Map 
  • If you don't have a bike, check out Capital Bikeshare. There are 31 stations in Alexandria, with more coming soon!   

Bus

  • DASH Bus provides service through Alexandria and to the Pentagon, and connects to MetroRail, MetroBus, and other regional bus partners.

Car

  • Rideshare with other commuters to create a carpool or vanpool.

Walk

  • Take matters into your own, um feet, but check out some tips from Feet First. 

Telework

  • The best way to commute is not to! Learn more about how to telework from home or a remote work center. 
  • Practice using other ways to get to work before they're needed. 
  • Help your employees stay informed and make a plan and encourage them to explore travel alternatives. The City's GO Alex program offers Employer Services to help.

LET’S GET THROUGH THIS TOGETHER

  • Let's all do our best to be patient and help each other out: we're all in this together.

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

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