Potomac Yard Metro Opening To Be Delayed In Alexandria: Metro

ALEXANDRIA, VA — The opening of the new Potomac Yard Metro Station in Alexandria will be delayed by at least five months, Metro announced Monday. That puts the opening no earlier than September 2022.

In a statement, Metro noted the design contract language did not include all the safety requirements specified for the Automatic Train Control system, which is designed to keep trains at a safe distance from each other. Metro said it is accountable for the need to redesign the Automatic Train Control system.

The station was originally planned to open in April 2022. While construction will largely be on schedule, some track-related construction is dependent upon the Automatic Train Control design completion.

"Metro is working with the contractor to reduce delays in the project schedule and ensure system safety," Metro stated.

Alexandria Mayor Justin Wilson said the delay was "deeply disappointing" and that internal systems should have caught the error. He pointed out that the city and other partners have invested $370 million for the station construction.

"Due to a contract language decision related to Automatic Train Control specifications, Metro and its contractor have indicated to the City that a delay in the station opening until the Fall will likely occur," said Wilson in a statement. "While we appreciate Metro’s acceptance of accountability and recent diligence in addressing this issue, the contract language mistake is inexcusable."

Wilson noted the city will have its own construction consultant review the schedule to determine if the station can be safely opened before September 2022.

The Potomac Yard Metro will be on the Yellow and Blue Lines between Reagan National Airport and Braddock Road stations. The groundbreaking for the station was held in late 2019. The project is largely funded by tax revenues and developer contributions tied to new development in Alexandria's Potomac Yard neighborhood. The opening is expected ahead of the first Virginia Tech Innovation Campus building being ready in 2024. The campus is initially occupying leased space in Potomac Yard ahead of construction of the permanent campus.

Aside from the campus, the National Industries for the Blind headquarters has already moved into Potomac Yard, and the Institute for Defense Analyses broke ground in 2019. Inova previously announced plans to open a new Oakville at Potomac Yard ambulatory facility, likely in 2023.