Alexandria Metro Riders To See Improvements When Stations Reopen

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Metro this week announced that a number of "customer experience improvements" are being installed as part of the transit system's project to upgrade train platforms at six stations on the Blue and Yellow Lines. The improvements include slip-resistant tiles, stainless-steel platform shelters with USB charging ports, energy-efficient LED lighting and improved speakers for clearer public announcements.

To allow renovation work to proceed on the platforms, Metro has stopped running trains this summer at six stations in the Alexandria area, including Eisenhower Avenue and Huntington on the Yellow Line, and Braddock Road, King Street-Old Town, Van Dorn Street and Franconia-Springfield on the Blue Line. Service is scheduled to resume Sept. 8.

Metro also is installing twice as many 55-inch Passenger Information Display (PID) screens on the platforms, which will display upcoming train information and service alerts. When the six stations reopen, work will continue at each one to finalize the improvements, Metro said.

“When critical repair projects disrupt customers, we want to use the shutdown time to accomplish as much work as possible,” Metro General Manager/CEO Paul Wiedefeld said in the statement.

“This summer, we are fixing structural and safety issues, getting out on the tracks to renew our infrastructure, and renovating the stations with new customer experience improvements," he said. "We hope our customers will find not only safer stations, but more accessible and modern features, when these improvements are completed.”

MORE: Summer Metro Shutdown: 8 Alternatives To Consider In Alexandria

The new slip-resistant tiles resemble the original tiles in color, shape and material, but have a textured surface to improve traction. They're being installed throughout each station, including on the platforms and inside the mezzanines.

For more information on the station improvements, please click here.

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