Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 5, 2003

Metro’s Planning and Development Committee recommends contract for the first phase of Ballston Metrorail station enhancements

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (Metro) Planning and Development Committee recommended a construction contract for the first phase of access improvements for the Ballston Metrorail station, located on the Orange Line in Arlington County.

Final approval of the contract is expected at the next Metro Board of Directors meeting on June 19.

The first phase of enhancements is planned for the eastern end of the Ballston Metrorail station. These enhancements include installing an additional elevator next to the existing elevator on the north side of Fairfax Drive, and two new elevators and a connecting underground passageway beneath the south side of Fairfax Drive. The cost of this work is expected to be approximately $10 million.

Enhancements scheduled for the western end of the station will include a new entrance and escalators on the south side of Fairfax Drive, a new mezzanine and passageway to the new entrance, and two new elevators on the south side of Fairfax Drive near the new escalators. Metro is working with Arlington County and the Commonwealth of Virginia to identify funds for this portion of work.

"In response to the continuing development of the Ballston area, and working in conjunction with Arlington County, we believe these initial enhancements will help ease the current congestion at the station entrance," said Metro Board Member Chris Zimmerman. "These enhancements will provide improved access in support of current and anticipated neighborhood development, improve pedestrian safety, increase convenience for persons with mobility requirements, facilitate inter-modal transfers, and attract more transit users."

News release issued on June 5, 2003.