Metro News Release
For immediate release: October 16, 2013
Arlington County unveils new Rosslyn Metro Entrance
The following is an Arlington County news release issued on October 7, 2013.
Arlington County unveiled a new entrance to the Rosslyn Metrorail Station today, during a grand opening ceremony celebrating safety and access improvements for one of Virginia’s busiest Metrorail stations.
The modernized facility showcases three new high-speed, high-capacity elevators for safer, more accessible options. It also provides an additional mezzanine and connecting passageway for better passenger flow, a new station manager kiosk and pay stations to better facilitate transactions, and an emergency evacuation stairwell for improved safety.
“This ceremony and our Realize Rosslyn initiative underscore Arlington’s commitment to safe, convenient transit improvements and the redevelopment of Rosslyn—one of our most critical transit and business hubs,” said Arlington County Board Chairman J. Walter Tejada. “It is a symbol of this community’s and our partners’ hard work, and another amenity for one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.”
Ridership continues to grow
The project results from The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (Metro) 2002 Rosslyn Metrorail Station Access Study. The study forecasted that Metrorail ridership at the Rosslyn station would grow to 22,000 entries per day by 2020, and concluded that at least one new entrance should be added to accommodate the anticipated increased in demand. Currently, the daily ridership is already closer to 30,000 entries per day—a number that will only increase with new ridership from the Silver Line.
The entrance is Arlington's largest capital transit project to date. Arlington provided forty-two percent of the overall $49.9 million project cost, partially from a Commercial and Industrial Real Estate Tax used to help finance critical transportation projects within the County. The project was delivered on time and within budget through a successful partnership led by Arlington County’s Department of Environmental Services. Arlington managed the design and construction in coordination with Metro. Other partners included the U.S. Federal Transit Administration, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, The JBG Companies, Monday Properties, Clark Construction Group, LLC and STV Incorporated.
The new entrance, now open to the public will be owned, operated and maintained by Metro. More information about the project can be found at www.arlingtonva.us.
This project was completed as the County is in the midst of a community effort to reimagine Rosslyn and transform it into a more vibrant, urban village. More details about this project can also be found by searching for “Realize Rosslyn” at www.arlingtonva.us.
Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.
News release issued at 3:40 pm, October 16, 2013.