WMATA has 45 outdoor rail stations constructed with concrete platforms which were designed and built over four decades ago. Over the years, many of the platforms have begun to deteriorate due to wear and tear combined with exposure to weather and de-icing agents. Platforms at 10 outdoor stations have already been rebuilt, and now WMATA has identified an additional 20 stations in need of platform reconstruction. This reconstruction project is the WMATA Platform Improvement Project.
This project will impact all Metrorail Stations located south of Reagan National Airport on the Blue and Yellow Lines. These stations will be closed for platform reconstruction from May 25 to September 2, 2019. The Metrorail Stations that will be closed include:
- Braddock Road
- King Street
- Eisenhower Avenue
- Huntington Avenue
- Van Dorn Street
- Franconia-Springfield
Customers will not be able to access these stations during this period. For bus passengers, the bus loops at most of the stations noted above will be closed for at least the same duration, with temporary bus facilities replacing the regular bus loops at Braddock Road, King Street, Van Dorn Street, Eisenhower Avenue, and Huntington Avenue.
DASH, WMATA, the City of Alexandria and other regional partners have been working closely over the last six months to develop a plan that will mitigate the impact of this shutdown on Alexandria residents, workers and visitors to the greatest extent possible. The plan includes several special shuttle bus routes, enhancements to existing DASH and Metrobus routes, and other measures intended to make it easier to get around town. DASH will play a vital role in this effort by operating special Blue Line Shuttle bus service from Franconia-Springfield to Reagan National Airport and increasing service levels on the AT3, AT4 and King Street Trolley.
For more information on the project, and the planned mitigation strategies, please visit:
WMATA Platform Improvement Project website – www.wmata.com/platforms
City of Alexandria Platform Improvement Project website – https://www.alexandriava.gov/tes/info/default.aspx?id=106691