Transitway Extension to Pentagon City
Location
This project will extend the Crystal City Potomac Yard Transitway north and west to Pentagon City., Arlington, VA 22202 View Map
38.862358632740836, -77.04874258420053
This project will extend the Crystal City Potomac Yard Transitway north and west to Pentagon City. ,
Arlington, VA 22202
This project will extend the Crystal City Potomac Yard Transitway north and west to Pentagon City. ,
Arlington, VA 22202
Transitway Extension to Pentagon City
StatusIn Design
Construction on Segment 1 was completed in early 2024. The project team is finalizing design coordination on Segment 2A. Construction is anticipated to begin by the end of 2024.
Travel Impacts
Street parking along Crystal Drive northbound from 15th Street South to 12th Street South westbound to Long Bridge Drive is reopened.
About the Project
This project will add 1.1 miles to the 4.5-mile Crystal City Potomac Yard Transitway. With the extension, the completed Transitway will run from the Braddock Road Metrorail station in the City of Alexandria to the Pentagon City Metrorail station in Arlington.
The project will extend the bus-only lanes and add five new transit stations with associated station amenities. The stations will be similar in style and appearance to the existing Transitway stations on Crystal Drive and Clark Street.
Planning for improved surface transit in the Crystal City/Potomac Yard corridor began in the early 2000s.
Project Segments
Project Map
Segment 1: Crystal Drive (15th St. S. to 12th St. S. & Long Bridge Dr.)
- Includes bus-only lanes and two new transit stations
- Northbound Crystal Drive at 15th Street South
- Westbound 12th Street South at Long Bridge Drive
Status: Segment 1 Construction was completed in Fall 2023. The County has taken measures to protect the shelters while they are not in operation. The County is working with the National Landing BID on placemaking during this interim period to bring art to the shelters.
Segment 2A: (12th St. S. from S. Eads St. to S. Fern St.)
- Includes bus-only lanes in the median traffic signal upgrades, signage and pavement markings, and three transit stations.
Status: Final design for this segment is anticipated to be completed by Summer 2024.
Segment 2B: South Hayes Street from 12th Street South to Army Navy Drive
- This segment will connect to WMATA’s planned Pentagon City Center bus bays project on Army Navy Drive.
Route Selection
In 2016, the County assessed the preferred alignment for the Transitway extension from the Crystal City Metrorail station to the Pentagon City Metrorail station. The assessment compared routes along 12th Street South, 15th Street South, and 18th Street South.
For the Transitway extension, northbound travel will follow Crystal Drive from 18th Street South to 12th Street South, continue west along 12th Street to South Hayes Street, and then north to Army Navy Drive at Joyce Street. Southbound travel for the extension will follow Army Navy Drive east to South Hayes Street, continue east on 12th Street South, and then south on South Clark Street to the Crystal City Metrorail Station.
Maps:
Learn about the difference between rush hour bus lanes and exclusive bus lanes – Understanding Transit Lanes
Environmental Review
Residents, business owners, building managers and bus riders were involved in the Transitway project’s environmental analysis and the design and locations of the Transitway stations. For more information about this public process, visit Crystal City Potomac Yard Transitway.
Project History
- 2005: Interim Transit Improvements Plan for Crystal City/Potomac Yard corridor recommends a Transitway, and Crystal City/Potomac Yard Corridor Transit Improvements Project identifies 12th Street South for the alignment of the northern extension of the Transitway from Crystal City to Pentagon City.
- 2009: Crystal City Multimodal Transportation Study, as part of the Crystal City Sector Plan process, studies transitway alignments and identifies 12th Street South as the corridor for future extension of the Transitway to Pentagon City.
- 2010: County Board adopts the Crystal City Sector Plan, which identifies the alignment of the Transitway.
- 2012: Crystal City Potomac Yard Transitway Operations Plan completed.
- April 2016: Crystal City Potomac Yard Transitway opens.
- 2016: County Board adopts the FY 2017-2026 Transit Development Plan and Capital Improvement Plan, which include the Transitway extension project with its alignment via 12th Street South.
- 2018: County Board adopts FY 2019-2028 Capital Improvement Plan, which includes the Transitway extension project with its alignment via 12th Street South.
Public Process
Arlington County staff engaged with community members throughout the Transit Extension project's earliest phases.
Past Community Outreach
March 2023 - National Landing Open House
The Department of Environmental Services featured information about the project at National Landing's march open house at Long Bridge Aquatic and Fitness Center.
March 2022 - Neighbors Notified of Construction Commencement
The project team delivered letters to residents near the construction site.
February 2022 – Project Update and Phase 2 60% Design Engagement
60% Design Plans
Meeting Materials
September 2021 - Project Information Meeting
August 2021 - TETPC Phase 1 - Summer 2021 Update
April 2021- Presentation to Transportation Commission
November 2018 – Community Open House
This open house updated the community on the project's scope and schedule at the 30% design milestone.
Funding
Arlington County’s FY 2019-2028 Capital Improvement Plan approved a budget of $27.7 million for this project. The Transitway extension is funded primarily by regional funds from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and state funds.
Photo Gallery