[Archived] King Street-Old Town Metrorail Station Access Improvement Project to Begin Sept. 9

UPDATE: King Street-Old Town Metrorail Station Access Improvement Project -- Closure of Bus Loop Delayed

A planned closure of the King Street-Old Town Metrorail Station bus loop, part of the King Street-Old Town Metrorail Station Access Improvement Project, will be delayed until October. Construction activities initially slated to begin on September 9, including the closure of the bus loop and Kiss & Ride and initiation of the temporary bus bays, are now expected to start next month. The delay in the closure of the bus loop will not result in any delay to the completion of the overall project. Customers using bus service at the King Street-Old Town Metrorail Station are encouraged to check the project webpage for the most up-to-date information. 

For Immediate Release: July 25, 2018

On September 9, the City of Alexandria and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will begin construction on the King Street-Old Town Metrorail Station Access Improvement Project. While the Project will bring many benefits to transit users, there will be significant construction impacts through mid-2020.  

Safety and access upgrades will include improved pedestrian access and safety; three additional bus bays; improved traffic flow; new designated areas for bikes, shuttles, Kiss & Ride, and carshare vehicles; and improved landscaping, lighting, and aesthetics.

The project will occur in two phases. During the first phase, which will last approximately 17 months, bus bays will be relocated to surrounding streets. Other facilities – including locations for Kiss & Ride, car share and shuttles – will remain closed for the duration of project construction. During the second phase, the new bus bays will be completed and open, but the Kiss & Ride, car share and shuttle area will remain closed. Starting August 6, preliminary construction will remove the existing metered parking lot and shuttle area within the station. These customers should use the Braddock Road or Eisenhower Avenue Metrorail station.

During major construction, starting September 9, please expect the following:

• There will be no Kiss & Ride area during construction. All customers who use these areas should use either Eisenhower Avenue or Braddock Road Metrorail stations (Phases 1 and 2).
• The existing parking lot and bus loading area will be under construction, except for pedestrian paths to the bus bays (Phase 1).
• Bus bays will be temporarily relocated to Diagonal Road, Daingerfield Road, Cameron Street and King Street. Work to build these temporary bays will begin in early August and will affect on-street parking. Wayfinding signs will direct bus riders to their temporary bay (Phase 1). The bus bays will be moved back to the station after Phase 1 is completed.
• Pedestrians using the Carlyle pedestrian tunnel will be required to cross Diagonal Road at Duke Street and again at the mid-block crossing (Phase 1).
• A temporary pedestrian path will run from the main entrance of the station to the mid-block crosswalk and the bus waiting area at Diagonal Road through the construction area. An additional pedestrian path will be parallel to the Metro rail tracks, near the station, between the main entrance and King Street (Phases 1 and 2).
• The MetroAccess van and taxi pick-up and drop-off area will be temporarily relocated to the north side of Cameron Street just east of the north entrance to the King Street-Old Town Metrorail Station entrance at Commonwealth Avenue. Taxis may also use the zone in front of the Embassy Suites Hotel, or Alexandria Union Station (Phases 1 and 2).
• There will be no shuttle area within the station, and all local shuttle service must use either Eisenhower Avenue or Braddock Road Metrorail stations (Phases 1 and 2).
• Bicycle parking will be provided at the station, and the Capital Bikeshare stations on Diagonal Road and Commonwealth Avenue will remain open throughout the duration of the project (Phases 1 and 2).
• Drivers should be aware of increased congestion and limited street parking during project construction. Station users should plan for additional time getting to and from Metro. (Phases 1 and 2).

The City provides information on alternate ways of getting around, including walking, biking, and teleworking, through the transportation resource program GO Alex.

The Access Improvement Project will not impact train service or cause any station closures. A separate WMATA project to rehabilitate the station platform will affect train service in summer 2019. The City is working with WMATA to coordinate both projects.

The Access Improvement Project was approved by City Council in 2012 after several years of study, community input, design, and review by City boards and commissions. Over the past five years, the City has worked closely with WMATA and these stakeholders to finalize the design process.

To learn more about the project and what to expect during construction, visit the King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvement Project webpage.

For media inquiries, contact Andrea Blackford, Senior Communications Officer, at andrea.blackford@alexandriava.gov or 703.746.3959.