Columbia Pike Transit Stations

Location

Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204

Status

Construction

The first nine stations were installed in 2023 and 2024, and the remaining 15 stations will be completed in spring of 2026.

Travel Impacts and Project Progress

Some bus stops are temporarily relocated or closed as part of the Columbia Pike Multimodal Improvements construction for crew and passerby safety. Bus stops will return to their permanent locations through coordination between construction and transit station installation.

Current Bus Stop Closures and Relocations

South Walter Reed Drive westbound: Relocated to South Highland Street
South Barton Street eastbound: Temporarily located 100 feet west in front of Celtic House
South Barton Street westbound: Temporarily located 200 feet east in front of Starbucks
South Courthouse Road eastbound: Relocated across South Courthouse Road in front of Dorchester Apartments.
South Courthouse Road westbound: Relocated across South Courthouse Road to South Veitch Street
South Scott Street westbound: Closed
South Rolfe Street westbound: Closed
South Orme Street westbound: Temporarily located 400 feet west under Route. 27/Washington Boulevard overpass
Air Force Memorial: Closed

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Map of Transit Stations

Transit Stations Under Construction

The following shelters have been installed. Glass panels, electrical components, signs, benches, and artwork will be installed all at the same time. All transit stations are expected to be complete by April 2026.

South Thomas Street (eastbound)
South Taylor Street (westbound)
South George Mason Drive (eastbound)
South Orme Street (eastbound)
South Barton Street (eastbound)
South Courthouse Road (both directions)

Upcoming Transit Stations

Transit stations east of South Four Mile Run Drive will be designed and installed as the Columbia Pike Multimodal Street Improvements project is completed.

South Glebe Road (eastbound)
South Walter Reed Drive (westbound)
South Barton Street (westbound)
South Scott Street (both directions)
South Rolfe Street (both directions)
South Orme Street (westbound)

Completed Transit Stations

The transit stations listed below are open for passenger service. Electrification and real-time arrival data are installed in coordination with local utilities.

South Greenbrier Street (east and westbound)
South Dinwiddie Street (westbound)
South Four Mile Run Drive (eastbound)
South Buchanan Street (westbound)
South Oakland Street (westbound)
South Glebe Road (westbound)
South Columbus Street (eastbound)

About the Project

New transit stations along Columbia Pike will accommodate riders on the busiest bus transit corridor in Virginia, and serve the community’s vision of transforming the Pike into a more transit-oriented and walkable main street. Arlington County is coordinating the project with the completion of the Columbia Pike Multimodal Street Improvements Project.

Transit stations are designed to shelter more passengers than a typical bus stop and will be fully accessible. Each station platform will be 90 to 120 feet long to accommodate two transit vehicles at one stop.

The stations include:

Large patterned glass roof and side windscreens to help protect from weather
Real-time bus arrival displays
Higher curb for easier boarding
Lighting for safety
Seating

Transit Station Design

The transit stations will feature prefabricated shelter that includes high-quality durable materials (stainless steel and glass), real-time bus arrival displays, lighting and expanded seating. The shelters will be bolted to the ground to secure them into place.

Public Art

The upgraded bus shelter design features artwork by Spencer Finch, with colors inspired by the Columbia Pike community. Arlington Public Art is a partner on this project and is funding the fabrication and installation of the artwork to the shelters.

Public Process

Project staff engaged with the community throughout the project process.

April 2015 Open House

An open house was held on April 28, 2015, for members of the community to review the 50 percent design and provide input on the importance of various station amenities and the proposed placement of station features.

Summer 2019 Outreach

County staff attended community events to inform residents about current and upcoming construction for the Columbia Pike multimodal and transit stations projects.

Project flyer - in English or in Spanish - which summarizes both projects

January 2020 Construction Open House

This open house provided information on two Columbia Pike projects that have entered new phases of construction: Multimodal and Transit Stations.

Display boards - in English or Spanish

Summer 2021 Shetler Design Update

Due to the schedule delays and risk of increasing costs, the County is moving forward with a new approach for the transit station shelters. The new design uses a prefabricated shelter, a proven design available from Future Systems, with modifications that incorporate elements of the current design. The shelters include high-quality durable materials (stainless steel and glass), real-time bus arrival displays, lighting and expanded seating.

The second half of this presentation gives an overview of the station shelter issues and the new path forward. Additional details will be provided in the coming months as details for the new shelters are finalized.