Metro News Release

For immediate release: September 16, 2004

Metro officials will open the New York Avenue-Florida Avenue-Gallaudet U Metrorail Station one month early

New station will open on November 20

Today, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (Metro) Board Planning, Development and Administration Committee received a final status update on the New York Avenue-Florida Avenue-Gallaudet U Metrorail station. The new station, to be located between Union Station and Rhode Island Avenue on Metro’s Red Line, will open one month early, on Saturday, November 20. It cost $103.7 million to build. " With today’s announcement, Metro marks another milestone moment in its 28-year history," stated Metro Board member Gladys W. Mack. " The opening of this Metrorail station is another step in our commitment to promote economic development and prosperity in all neighborhoods throughout Washington, D.C. This area will soon reap the benefits of what other communities have discovered over the years as to why Metro is so important to the metropolitan area in terms of job growth, affordable living opportunities, and safe, quality public transportation services," concluded Ms. Mack. Metro is working with the main contractor on final preparations for the last two Board approved Red Line weekend shutdowns. The first shutdown is scheduled for the Columbus Day holiday weekend to realign the outbound track, and the final shutdown scheduled for the last weekend in October or the first weekend in November to install a new double crossover which allows trains to switch tracks if a mechanical problem or an emergency situation requires a train to move from one track to another. Metro is also designing and constructing the portion of the Metropolitan Branch Bike Trail through Metrorail property with the station contract as requested by the District of Columbia. The trail will enhance access to the station by pedestrians and bicyclists. The new station will also include two artistic creations, the first is a mural that features the work of the Perry School Community Center and is mounted along the north and south sides of Florida Avenue. The second art project is part of Metro’s Arts-In-Transit Program which has been collaborated with the local community, businesses, cultural organizations, area artists, and the District Government to ensure artwork celebrates the cultural diversity found along the New York Avenue corridor. " Everyone associated with the construction of this new station is extremely pleased with the progress that has been made so far," said John Thomas, Construction Project Manager for New York Avenue-Florida Avenue-Gallaudet U station. " As a result of everyone’s hard work and commitment, we are now scheduled to open this station one month ahead of schedule." The New York Avenue-Florida Avenue-Gallaudet U Metrorail station is known as an " in-fill" station and it is the first station in Metro’s 28-year history to be constructed between two existing, operating rail stations " Union Station and Rhode Island Avenue stations. The new train station will have two entrances " M Street, N.E., and Florida Avenue, N.E. The station will have multiple redundant elevators and enhanced signage and lighting. Funding for this project has been made possible through a partnership that includes the District of Columbia, the federal government, and a special assessment of area private land owners and local businesses. While the station will not add miles to the tracks in the rail system, it will increase the total number of Metrorail stations in the regional system to 84. " The success of this project has also depended on vital partnerships within the community, and the local businesses and the District of Government have played a critical role in ensuring the successful completion of this project," said Mr. Thomas. " We look forward to working with the local Advisory Neighborhood Communities, the business associations, and the District of Columbia as we near the completion of this station." Metro broke ground for the New York Avenue-Florida Avenue-Gallaudet U Metrorail station on December 16, 2000. The new station is expected to bring in an additional 6,600 new customers after its first year of service. Key facts about the status of the new station include the following: ▸ The station is scheduled for completion and opening on November 20.▸ The station structure is complete and several final touches such as tiles, and exterior painting are underway at this time.▸ Installation of the station’s steel canopy over the platform is complete.▸ Service rooms have been outfitted with electrical and mechanical equipment for the station.▸ Escalators have been installed.▸ Over the Labor Day holiday weekend, personnel successfully completed the realignment and installation of the new inbound track through the station. All Red Line trains operating from Glenmont and Silver Spring are now passing through the new station.

News release issued on September 16, 2004.