Project Details


From 2019 to 2022, we rehabilitated aging platforms and installed customer improvements at 20 outdoor Metrorail stations.

This project—the largest, most complex capital construction project since the Metrorail system opened—is just one part of our overall Capital Improvement Program to bolster safety, improve service reliability, and enhance the customer experience.

Watch how we successfully completed the project, with exclusive behind-the-scenes content and thoughts from the project’s leaders!

Platform Reconstruction Now Complete

The Metro system has 45 outdoor rail stations constructed with concrete platforms. These platforms were designed and built over four decades ago to safely accommodate customers waiting for trains and boarding Metro railcars. Over the years, many of the platforms have begun to deteriorate due to routine wear and tear combined with exposure to weather and de-icing agents. Over the past four years, Metro completed repairs to platforms at 20 stations:

  • Summer 2022: New Carrollton, Landover, Cheverly
  • Summer 2021: Greenbelt, College Park-U of Md, Prince George's Plaza, West Hyattsville
  • Spring 2021: Addison Road & Arlington Cemetery
  • Fall 2020: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
  • Summer 2020: Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church & East Falls Church
  • Summer 2019: Braddock Rd, King St-Old Town, Eisenhower Ave, Huntington, Van Dorn St & Franconia-Springfield

Before and after GIF of platform reconstruction at King St-Old Town Station

Customer Experience Improvements

During construction, Metro used the time to make improvements that enhance the customer experience with a higher level of safety, convenience and communication.

Key renovations include new slip-resistant tiles throughout the stations, brighter energy-efficient LED lighting and illuminated handrails. Additionally, new stainless-steel platform shelters will include power outlets and digital map/information displays. More Passenger Information Displays (PIDS) will be installed along the platforms, with larger digital screens to improve visibility. The new screens display train arrival times continuously, while service alerts scroll along the bottom of the screen. Station improvements also include new surveillance systems (CCTV), clearer speakers for important announcements, safety call buttons with direct contact to station managers and the operations control center, new recycling cans and more.

Click here for a complete list of upgrades to the Platform Improvement Project stations.

Illustration of reconstructed station

Construction Strategy Designed to Minimize Impact

After extensive internal planning and consultation with construction experts, Metro developed a strategy that reduced the length of the project by up to 94%. Instead of overnight work or single tracking and weekend outages that stretch on for years, Metro fully closed the stations. This allowed contractors to have 24-hour access to the work sites instead of limited, sporadic hours, increasing safety and project duration and cost.

Station closures reduce project length by up to 94% Process minimizes rail service disruptions elsewhere on the system
Contractors have 24-hour access to work sites Construction performed during slower summer months affects fewer riders

Capital Improvement Program

Metro is investing in system safety, reliability and the region's economy through its 10-year, $15 billion capital program. For the first time in Metro's history, the capital program is bolstered by dedicated funding from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The capital program will improve the customer experience and keep the region's infrastructure in a state of good repair by investing in new railcars and buses, improving stations and platforms, upgrading fire-suppression and emergency response systems, replacing and repairing tracks, tunnels, bridges, signals, and communications systems, rebuilding decades-old bus garages and providing modern customer amenities such as passenger information systems. In spending local taxpayer dollars for capital projects, Metro is seeking to reinvest in our hometown economy, creating jobs and encouraging participation from disadvantaged, minority-owned, and small businesses in the region.