Metro News Release

For immediate release: April 18, 2006

Metro and Arlington County Cut Ribbon to Unveil New Ballston-MU Metrorail Station Street Elevators

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) and Arlington County today celebrated new access improvements with the opening of three new elevators at the Ballston-MU Metrorail station with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new access improvements are part of the Ballston-MU Metrorail station Access Improvement Project that was implemented by Metro and Arlington County to make access to mass transit more convenient, faster and safer.

On the north side of Fairfax Drive, a second elevator was added next to the existing elevator, doubling accessibility on that side of the street. On the south side of Fairfax Drive, two new elevators were installed and an underground passageway was constructed to connect the elevators to the existing entrance. This provides safer access to the station for residents living and working on that side of Fairfax Drive.

"The addition of three new elevators and a passageway to the Ballston-MU Metrorail station improves pedestrian safety, increases convenience for persons with mobility requirements, and encourages the use of transit in Arlington County," said Arlington County Board Chairman and Metro Board member Christopher Zimmerman.

The $10 million design-build contract, sponsored by Arlington County and managed by Metro, began in September 2004, and was completed three months ahead of schedule.

"This project is part of a major enhancement program at the Ballston-MU Metrorail station to meet growing ridership demands," said Metro Interim General Manager Dan Tangherlini. "Each weekday, 25,000 people enter and exit this station, and with continued growth in the neighborhood, those numbers are expected to increase considerably. These elevators will make this station more accessible for that expected growth."

News release issued on April 18, 2006.