New Traffic Technology To Mitigate Alexandria Metro Shutdown

ALEXANDRIA, VA—With the summer Metro shutdown over a month away, Alexandria officials are finalizing plans to mitigate the impact of the closed stations. The plan includes impacts to the roads, including tweaks to HOV restrictions and technology to keep buses on schedule. The Braddock Road, King St-Old Town, Van Dorn Street, Eisenhower Avenue, Huntington and Franconia-Springfield stations will be closed from Memorial Day (May 25) to Labor Day (Sept. 2) for platform rehabilitation.

Among the plans is the HOV changes for Washington Street and East and West Abingdon Drive that City Council approved on April 9. The HOV changes start May 20 and end when WMATA's project concludes—or no later than Sept. 20. The changes will require three people to be in a car in an HOV Lane during HOV hours—a change from the current two-person-per-car rule. Northbound HOV hours will be extended to 6 a.m.-10 a.m. from the current 7 a.m.-9 a.m. Southbound hours will be extended to 3 p.m.-7 p.m. from the current 4 p.m.-6 p.m. Alexandria Police will enforce the changes.

The HOV changes would allow Metrobus and DASH buses to navigate traffic more easily while Metro stations are closed. Bus routes traveling along Washington Street include the free Blue line shuttle between Reagan National Airport, King Street, Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield, as well as enhanced 10A, 10E and 11Y service.

Buses will also be able to move more quickly through the dedicated bus lanes on Route 1 using the new Transit Signal Priority technology. Buses will be able to wirelessly contact traffic signals to keep them green or change them from red to keep buses on schedule.

The city has activated its first Blynscy sensors, which collect travel data on streets and provide real-time data on travel times and routes. The city anticipates this technology will boost efficiency for shuttles running between Metro stations.

Alexandria collected feedback on its draft mitigation plan in March. The plan details alternatives for Metrorail riders like enhanced DASH Bus service, free Metro shuttles and the water taxi as well as traffic mitigation. City Council will consider a grant application that includes the mitigation plan to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation on April 23.

Metro has its own webpage detailing the project and alternatives for riders. Metro will provide four free shuttles serving the closed Metrorail stations. Two will be express shuttles from Franconia-Springfield and Huntington to the Pentagon with no stops in Alexandria. A Blue Line shuttle will serve Reagan National Airport, King Street, Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield. A Yellow Line shuttle will serve Crystal City, Braddock Road, King Street, Eisenhower Avenue and Huntington. WMATA will also add additional service on certain bus routes.

Riders should be aware of other preparation work ahead of the summer shutdown. Metro has begun moving certain bus stops and kiss & ride locations at the Huntington, Van Dorn Street, Braddock Road and Eisenhower Avenue stations.

On the weekend of May 4-5, Metro will close the Braddock Road, King Street, Eisenhower Avenue, Van Dorn Street, Franconia-Springfield and Huntington stations for pre-construction activity. Metro will be offering free shuttles that weekend; they will be tested for the summer shutdown.

Prepare for the Metro shutdown

• WMATA webpage on project details and alternative transportation
• City of Alexandria's summer Metro shutdown webpage