Metro News Release

For immediate release: October 30, 2006

Metro completes canopies at Arlington County rail stations

Metro has riders covered at four Arlington County rail stations. The transit agency finished building the last of five escalator canopies in the county this month.

The first canopy constructed over escalators at a station entrance in Arlington was at the Virginia Square-GMU Orange Line station in 2003. Since then, the stainless steel and glass structures have been built over escalator entrances at Pentagon City, Crystal City and Clarendon.

Metro is in the process of building 30 canopies at rail stations in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. In 2000, Metro’s Board approved spending more than $27 million on the project, which was started as a way to help prevent rain and snow from damaging escalators over time. So far, 27 have been built in the region.

"The successful completion of the escalator canopy program at Metrorail stations demonstrates the County’s commitment to fostering a multi-modal transportation system that provides a high quality experience for the rider," said Arlington County Board Chairman and Metro Board member Christopher Zimmerman. "We will continue to make improvements like these to accommodate the growing number of riders in Arlington and to enhance their transit experience.”

There are also plans to build a pedestrian canopy in December at Crystal City station on the Blue and Yellow lines. The steel and glass canopy would be built between the station escalators and bus shelter.

“Northern Virginia Congressman Jim Moran (D-Va.) was instrumental in helping Metro obtain federal funds for the canopy program,”said Zimmerman, who was flanked by Rep. Moran at a ribbon cutting event today in Arlington.

Other improvements planned for the Pentagon City station, include the 2007 opening of an underground passageway between the north end of the station and South Hayes Street, an elevator at the west side of the station and bus stop and shelter improvements. The county also plans other street improvements.

News release issued on October 30, 2006.