Metro News Release

For immediate release: September 20, 2004

Metro ’Opens New Doors’ to the next phase of new improvements at the King Street Metrorail station

In a groundbreaking ceremony held today, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) unveiled upcoming improvements at the King Street Metrorail station, which serves the Blue and Yellow lines in Alexandria, Va.

The project will feature the expansion of the station mezzanine; a new elevated walkway to be constructed across Commonwealth Avenue at the intersection of Cameron Street; two new elevators and a stairway to provide access to the elevated walkway; a new canopy, similar to the present canopy above the station platform that will go over the uncovered portion of the platform; a new station kiosk; and farecard machines.

"The improvements that we are starting today will ’ease the squeeze’ that Metro customers have experienced at the King Street Metrorail station and give people more breathing room and easier access to the platform,"said Metro Board member and City of Alexandria Mayor William D. Euille. "Instead of our customers converging on the middle of the station to get upstairs, customers will soon be able to spread out and use a brand new mezzanine and entrance north of Commonwealth Avenue, with new faregates and farecard machines, plus new elevators and a stairway to take people right up to the platform."

"The next phase of enhancements at the King Street Metrorail station comes as completion nears for of the new 15-acre Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) building, which is estimated to house more than 7,300 employees," said Richard A. White, Metro’s General Manager and CEO. "Approximately 50 percent of PTO employees are expected to use mass transit and the majority of them will rely on Metro to get them there. This project is another example of the critical role Metro has in moving the Federal Government workforce each and everyday.

"Today, Metro is meeting the needs of its customers who use this station as a result of our partnership on this project with the City of Alexandria," stated Mr. White. "These new enhancements will increase station access, improve pedestrian safety, shorten walking distances for local residents, and help relieve the growing pressure on the existing mezzanine."

Two years ago, a second station entrance was opened, offering patrons a new direct covered north entrance to the existing mezzanine with access into the station along King Street. The new entrance shortened the walking distance for Virginia Railway Express customers transferring from Alexandria ’s Union Station to Metro, and for local residents, thereby increasing pedestrian access and capacity to the station. The new entrance also features two farecard machines and four faregates.

The total cost of this project is $16 million, with $12 million coming from the Commonwealth of Virginia, $2.5 million from the Federal Government and $1.8 million from the city of Alexandria.

For more information on Metrorail and Metrobus, please call (202) 637-7000, TTY (202) 638-3780.

News release issued on September 20, 2004.