Metro News Release
For immediate release: September 21, 2009
Rehabilitation of Franconia-Springfield parking garage to temporarily decrease parking spaces
Maintenance will result in temporary loss of up to 220 parking spaces
The parking garage at the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail station at the end of the Blue Line will undergo a major rehabilitation project beginning Thursday, October 1, resulting in the temporary loss of up to 220 parking spaces during the 18- to 20-month project.
The garage rehabilitation will take place in 12 phases and includes concrete, structural and electrical repairs of the 12-year-old facility, which opened in June 1997. Throughout the course of the rehabilitation project, approximately 220 of the 5,069 parking spaces will be unavailable.
There is modest deterioration of the bearing pads and metal connecters in the parking structure due to exposure from the elements and other materials such as salt, oil and antifreeze. Any portions of concrete that have deteriorated will be replaced and the entire structure will be treated with concrete sealant to extend the life of the concrete. Repairs will also be made, as needed, to electrical conduits and lighting fixtures. The parking spaces in the entire structure also will be restriped.
Customers who are unable to find parking at the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail station may consider the following parking options:
• Park for free at the Springfield Mall in the Macy’s parking facility on levels 2, 4 or 6. A TAGS shuttle bus, operated by Metrobus, (S80 or S91) runs between the parking facility and the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail station bus bay D approximately every 10 minutes. The shuttle bus is 25 cents. The Fairfax Connector route 401 also services Springfield Mall, and Fairfax Connector routes 321, 322, 331 and 332 serve Springfield Mall on Spring Mall Road. The fare on the Fairfax Connector is $1.25 with SmarTrip, and $1.35 with cash.
• Park for free at the Backlick Park and Ride facility and use the Fairfax Connector’s route 310 or 332 to the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail station. The Fairfax Connector fare is $1.25 with SmarTrip, and $1.35 with cash.
• Park for free at the Gambrill Park and Ride facility and use Metrobus route 18R or the Fairfax Connector route 305 to the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail station. The Metrobus and Fairfax Connector fare is $1.25 with SmarTrip, and $1.35 with cash.
• Park for free at either the Gambrill or Backlick Park and Ride facility and use the Fairfax Connector route 380-D (detour route) to the Pentagon Metrorail station. The Fairfax Connector 380-D is $5 to and from the Pentagon Metrorail station. Cash and SmarTrip cards are accepted.
Metro has placed signs in the Franconia-Springfield parking facility to alert drivers about the upcoming construction work.
For more information on Metro, please visit the Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com or call (202) 637-7000. For more information on the Fairfax Connector, please visit www.fairfaxconnector.com.
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Media contact for this news release: Steven Taubenkibel or Lisa Farbstein at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.
News release issued at 10:08 am, September 21, 2009.