Traffic & Transit
State To Fund Alternatives During Summer Metro Shutdown
The state will fund a significant portion of costs for alternative transportation when Alexandria Metro stations are closed.
ALEXANDRIA, VA—The state's transportation board approved funding for transportation alternatives during the summer 2019 Metro shutdown of Alexandria stations. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority will shut down the Braddock Road, King St-Old Town, Van Dorn Street, Eisenhower Avenue, Huntington and Franconia-Springfield stations from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
The state will fund $3.6 million of the anticipated $4.4 million costs for transportation alternatives, WTOP reported. These are in addition to the free shuttle routes WMATA will provide to service the closed Metro stations.
A significant portion of state funding will go to Alexandria, supporting the city's mitigation plan to add earlier King Street Trolley service, more DASH Bus service, extra water taxi trips and traffic efforts to keep buses moving quickly. The Virginia Department of Transportation will allow buses to travel on the shoulder of the eastbound Capital Beltway from the Eisenhower Avenue connector to Telegraph Road. This will help buses move through traffic more easily.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The city's draft mitigation plan was open for public comment through March 20. The plan encourages Metro riders to use alternatives like buses, mobility devices, and water taxis, telework or alter commuting schedules if possible. It also addresses traffic flow and potential incentives for carpooling.
Virginia Railway Express and Amtrak service are other alternatives for riders at the King Street and Franconia-Springfield stations. The state expects to lower the step-up fee to ride Amtrak from $8 to $4 for monthly VRE riders.
Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The summer Metro shutdown will allow Metro to completely reconstruct outdoor station platforms and make other major station improvements. It is part of a three-year project to reconstruct platforms at 20 stations.
WMATA has created a web page for the project, allowing riders to find shuttle routes and Metrobus services between Metrorail stations. Visit wmata.com/service/rail/PlatformProject for more details.
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