Metro News Release

For immediate release: July 14, 2005

Metrobus Route 16H to expand to Crystal City and into Fairfax County

Metro plans to extend Metrobus Route 16H, Columbia Heights West-Pentagon City Line, east to Crystal City and west to Blair Road or Jefferson Street in Fairfax County to improve productivity of the route.

The east end of the route currently ends at Pentagon City. Metro proposes extending the route to Crystal City as an experimental service to provide a direct bus connection between Crystal City and the Columbia Pike Corridor.

On the west end Route 16H, Metro proposes to continue service from Columbia Pike and Four Mile Run Drive to Columbia Pike and Blair Road or Jefferson Street, approximately 3/4 mile west of Baileys Crossroads. The extension would provide additional service to the residential areas along Columbia Pike just west of Baileys Crossroads. It would also relieve overcrowding on Metrobus route 16A, 16D and 16L to and from Annandale.

Metro’s Budget Committee approved the $43,500 needed to expand 16H service. The full Board of Directors will vote on the measure on July 21. If approved, the westbound change would go into effect in September as an 18-month test. The eastbound change would start upon completion of the construction of a slip ramp east of Blair Road that will facilitate bus turnaround movements.

For more information on Metrobus, please visit www.metroopensdoors.com or call 202-637-7000.

News release issued on July 14, 2005.