Newsroom
For Immediate Release
Monday, October 30, 2006
Arlington Celebrates Completion of Metrorail Canopy Program
Improvements Coming to Pentagon City Station and S. Hayes Street Area
ARLINGTON, Va. – Arlington County today celebrated the completion of its Metrorail station escalator canopy program with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by U.S. Rep. Jim Moran (D-8th District), Arlington County Board Chairman Christopher Zimmerman, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) officials, area business leaders and County residents.
Developed in partnership with WMATA, the program adds four new escalator canopies to Arlington Metrorail stations, including Clarendon, Crystal City and two at Pentagon City. During the ceremony, Arlington County also announced an estimated $10 million in access and transportation improvements coming to the Pentagon City station and South Hayes Street corridor.
“With Congressman Moran’s assistance, Arlington County continues to implement high-quality improvements to our transit infrastructure and multi-modal services,” said Board Chairman Zimmerman. “Completion of the escalator canopies in Arlington is just the latest example of that commitment.”
Benefits of Canopies
The new canopies were installed to shield Metrorail users from inclement weather and to protect the escalators from rain, snow and salt-related damage. The canopies’ unique vault-like glass and steel design, which mirrors the structure of the Metrorail tunnels, also enhances the County’s streetscape. Arlington’s first escalator canopy was constructed at the Virginia Square station in 2003 as part of WMATA’s pilot program. An additional sidewalk canopy will be installed this winter at the Crystal City station to accommodate the County’s growing number of bus commuters.
Access Improvements Coming
Zimmerman today also announced plans for upcoming access improvements to the Pentagon City station designed to better accommodate the estimated 34,000 transit users that pass through the station each day. Transportation improvements to the South Hayes Street corridor adjacent to the Pentagon City station also were presented as part of the overall improvements to take place between now and 2010. Station and area enhancements include:
- Opening of a pedestrian passageway under South Hayes Street for greater pedestrian safety and additional access to the Metro station and Fashion Centre
- Enhanced bus stops with new shelters and sidewalk improvements
- Addition of a station “kiss and ride” zone to encourage multi-modal transit use
- Improved crosswalks for pedestrian safety
- Expanded bicycle parking
- Streetscape enhancements including improved signage
- Street and signal improvements for better traffic conditions and flow
To learn more about transit projects in Arlington County, visit the Department of Environmental Services on the Arlington County Web site or the County’s Commuter Page.
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.
