Crystal City Metro Station Second Entrance
Location
Crystal City in the vicinity of Crystal Drive and 18th Street South
Status
Planned
Development of site alternatives
The project is in the concept development and engineering analysis phase. The specific location for the new east entrance to the Crystal City Metrorail station has not yet been determined, but the County, in conjunction with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), has developed three alternative locations in the vicinity of Crystal Drive and 18th Street South. A report detailing these alternatives was issued in April 2015:
Additional engineering analysis and input from adjacent property owners are planned prior to choosing a specific location. This work should be completed in fall 2017. County and WMATA staff will then evaluate the alternatives and present their recommendations to stakeholders and the general public.
About the Project
The Crystal City Metrorail Station is one of the more highly used stations in Arlington County. The existing entrance is reaching capacity during peak periods, and the existing elevator access is slow, inconveniently located and lacks redundancy.
With redevelopment underway in Crystal City, overall trip-making will increase and transit will need to capture a substantial majority of that increase, which will overburden the existing station entrance. In addition, large volumes of passengers transfer between Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express (VRE), but the transfer route is long, circuitous and has accessibility barriers.
The access improvement plan for the Crystal City Metrorail station includes a new entrance near Crystal Drive, at the east end of the station, to provide easier access from Crystal Drive, the VRE station and the new Transitway station at Crystal Drive and 18th Street South. In addition, the access improvement plan includes elevator upgrades to improve compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provide more conveniently located elevator access. The new east entrance will include elevators, escalators and/or stairs, a fare payment area with fare vending machines, a kiosk, and an underground passageway to the existing train platform and/or mezzanine.
Access improvements at the Crystal City Metrorail Station were contemplated in the 2010 Crystal City Sector Plan.
Public Process
A plan for public outreach will be developed as the site selection and design process moves forward.
Funding
The County's FY 2017-2026 Capital Improvement Plan includes $72.5 million for this project. Funding sources include state and regional funds and local commercial real estate tax revenues dedicated to transportation.
Project cost estimates will be refined when a preferred alternative is identified and design progresses.