Alexandria Metro Stations To Reopen, Yellow Line Project Continues

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Starting Sunday, commuters will once again be able to take Metrorail to and from Alexandria as six stations reopen. But Metro riders should be aware of continued impacts from the next phase of the Yellow and Blue Line construction project.

The six stations — Braddock Road, King Street-Old Town, Eisenhower Avenue, Huntington, Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield — have been closed for Metrorail service since Sept. 10. The closures were originally set to end after Oct. 22, but Metro extended closure two weeks through Saturday, Nov. 5 due to delays in the track work connecting the new Potomac Yard station.

Another setback was the announcement that the Potomac Yard Metro station was no longer expected to open in 2022. Metro attributed the delay to the contractor identifying a soil issue affecting the stability below the tracks, which prompted completed work to be undone. Metro is working with the contractor to update the project schedule and will expect to have an update on the opening by the end of 2022.

Even when the six Yellow and Blue Line stations reopen, no Metrorail service is being provided between Pentagon and L'Enfant Plaza stations due to the Yellow Line tunnel and bridge rehabilitation project through May 2023. Yellow Line trains are not running and are being served by the Green and Blue Lines.

Virginia Railway Express will end its fare-free travel between Zones 1, 2 and 3. However, reduced fares will be in effect through Metro's Yellow Line tunnel and bridge tunnel project through May 2023. Reduced fares include $5 for a single ticket, $10 for a day pass, $46 for a 10-trip ticket, $40 for a seven-day pass and $138 for a 31-day pass. The offer applies to travel within zones 1 (Union Station and L’Enfant Plaza), 2 (Crystal City and Alexandria) and 3 (Franconia-Springfield and Backlick Road).

But riders will soon have access to new stations as the long-awaited Silver Line extension opens. The six new stations opening Nov. 15 are Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn. This is the first Metrorail service to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County. The first Silver Line segment between McLean and Wiehle-Reston East stations opened in 2014.

The Silver Line extension will be supported by the return of more 7000-series railcars, approved by the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission in Metro's latest Return to Service Plan. The commission approved a plan to gradually return all remaining 7000-series railcars, supporting the Silver Line extension opening and helping to reduce crowding on Red Line trains.