Open House Planned Ahead Of Metro Shutdown In Alexandria

ALEXANDRIA, VA—An open house on the summer Metro shutdown will be held in Alexandria days before six Yellow and Blue stations are set to close on May 25. Alexandria and Metro officials will be at the open house Wednesday, May 22 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Oswald Durant Arts Center (1605 Cameron Street). A virtual session will follow from 8 p.m.-9 p.m.

Residents can attend in-person or online to ask questions about the shutdown and help plan their transportation alternatives. Metro officials in particular will provide information on the free shuttle buses replacing trains this summer, as well as the construction plan and noise impacts.

The virtual session will allow participants to ask city and DASH Bus officials. The video will be found at www.alexandriava.gov and alexandriava.gov/Facebook. Questions may be submitted in advance at alexandriava.gov/GOAlex, or asked live during the online session by social media, text to 703-405-8902, or by phone to 703-746-3300.  A recording will be available after the session.

Metro workers have also been stationed at the impacted Metro stations from May 8-24 to answer questions and notify customers of the closure. Staff will be at the Alexandria Metro stations for assistance during the first two weeks of the shutdown. Concerns can be submitted to Metro through the customer relations line (202-637-1328 on weekdays from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.) or online through this form.

The Braddock Road, King Street-Old Town, Eisenhower Avenue, Van Dorn Street, Huntington and Franconia-Springfield stations will be closed for Metro's outdoor platform rehabilitation project through Sept. 8. Metro will provide several free shuttles, three of which are Pentagon express shuttles from Franconia-Springfield, Huntington and Landmark Mall. A Blue Line shuttle will stop at Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn Street, King Street-Old Town and Reagan National Airport. A Yellow Line shuttle will stop at Huntington, Eisenhower Avenue, King Street-Old Town, Braddock Road and Crystal City.

Alexandria is making its own preparations, from changing HOV restrictions on Washington Street to adding traffic signal priority for buses and lowering garage parking fees at certain times. DASH Bus service will provide enhanced service, and customers who pay with the app can get $1 fares, WTOP reported. The regular fare is $1.75.

City Council will receive a new update on the summer Metro shutdown preparations on Saturday, May 18.

Prepare for the Metro shutdown

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