Bus Stop Accessibility Improvements

Bus stop at North Barton Street & 9th Street North, after ADA improvements

Location

Countywide: Bus stop accessibility improvements are being made throughout Arlington at bus stop locations that are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Completed Work

In Fiscal Year 2025, improvements included:

  • 64 bus pad upgrades (28 new ADA compliant boarding pads and 36 slope corrections)
  • 14 curb ramps
  • 8 new benches
  • 36 new bench replacements (stand-alone and in shelters)
  • 15 shelter replacements
  • 7 new shelters with ADA improvements and bus stop relocations
  • 14 trash/recycle containers placed
  • 119 bus stop/shelter/amenity miscellaneous repairs
  • 14 flagpole replacements
  • 40 shelter solar light retrofits
  • 64 ADA changes (net)

About the Project

Arlington County has an ongoing program that makes physical improvements to bus stops to bring them into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. This program focuses on the design and construction of accessibility improvements to approximately 438 bus stops across the County that currently do not comply with ADA standards, with a goal of improving approximately 30 to 60 bus stops each fiscal year.

Bus stop accessibility improvements include creating ADA-compliant bus boarding areas, adding pedestrian facilities that connect passengers to bus stops (e.g. sidewalks, crosswalks, and ramps) and providing waiting areas for wheelchair users inside bus shelters.

What are ADA standards for bus stops?

The ADA requires that all bus boarding areas (i.e. landing pads) must be at least 5 feet wide parallel to the street and at least 8 feet long perpendicular to the street. Landing pads must be adjacent to the bus stop sign pole, connect the sidewalk (if existing) to the curb, and not include grass medians or planter strips between the curb and sidewalk.

Illustration of ADA Bus Stop Standards
ADA standards for bus stop boarding area

The ADA also requires that physical design standards are met relating to bus stop information, trash placement, seating, vendor boxes, and bus shelter pads.

Funding

This program is included in the Arlington County Capital Improvement Plan and is funded by a mix of state and local sources.

Photo Gallery

Bus stop at 31st Street South & South Abingdon Street, after ADA improvements

Bus stop at 31st Street South & South Abingdon Street, after ADA improvements

(JPG, 218KB)
Bus stop at 31st Street South & South Abingdon Street, prior to improvements

Bus stop at 31st Street South & South Abingdon Street, prior to improvements

(JPG, 58KB)
Bus stop at South Walter Reed Drive & South Dinwiddie Street, prior to improvements

Bus stop at South Walter Reed Drive & South Dinwiddie Street, prior to improvements

(JPG, 55KB)
Bus stop at South Walter Reed Drive & South Dinwiddie Street, after ADA improvements

Bus stop at South Walter Reed Drive & South Dinwiddie Street, after ADA improvements

(JPG, 233KB)
Bus stop at South Eads Street & 23rd Street South, prior to improvements

Bus stop at South Eads Street & 23rd Street South, prior to improvements

(JPG, 48KB)
Bus stop at South Eads Street & 23rd Street South, after ADA improvements

Bus stop at South Eads Street & 23rd Street South, after ADA improvements

(JPG, 174KB)
Bus stop at 8th Road South & South Harrison Street, prior to improvements

Bus stop at 8th Road South & South Harrison Street, prior to improvements

(JPG, 217KB)
Bus stop at 8th Road South & South Harrison Street, after ADA improvements

Bus stop at 8th Road South & South Harrison Street, after ADA improvements

(JPG, 206KB)
Bus stop at North Barton Street & 9th Street North, prior to improvements

Bus stop at North Barton Street & 9th Street North, prior to improvements

(JPG, 138KB)
Bus stop at North Barton Street & 9th Street North, after ADA improvements

Bus stop at North Barton Street & 9th Street North, after ADA improvements

(JPG, 199KB)

Contacts

Project Manager

Edwin Montano
703-228-3392

Media Inquiries

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