Blue Line (Washington Metro)

Blue Line
Blue Line train on the D Route bridge, near the Blue/Silver and Orange Line's eastern split
Overview
Type Rapid transit
System Washington Metro
Status Operating
Locale Fairfax County, Alexandria, and Arlington, VA
Washington, D.C.
Prince George's County, MD
Termini Franconia–Springfield (West)
Largo Town Center (East)
Stations 27
Operation
Opened July 1, 1977 (1977-07-01)
Operator(s) Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Character At-grade, elevated, and underground
Rolling stock 2000-series, 3000-series, 5000-series, 6000-series, 7000-series
Technical
Line length 30.3 mi (48.8 km)
Number of tracks 2
Track gauge 4 ft 8 14 in (1,429 mm)
Electrification Third rail 750 V DC
Route map

Farragut North
Farragut West
Foggy Bottom–GWU
McPherson Square
Metro Center
I-66
Custis Memorial Parkway
Federal Triangle
Rosslyn
Smithsonian
to Vienna
to Wiehle–Reston East
Arlington Cemetery
L'Enfant Plaza
L'Enfant
(VRE)
Pentagon
Federal Center SW
I-395 (Shirley Highway)
I-395
Third Street Tunnel
Pentagon City
Amtrak First Street Tunnel
to Union Station
Crystal City
Capitol South
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
National Airport
Eastern Market
Potomac Avenue
opening 2021
Potomac Yard
Stadium–Armory
Braddock Road
King Street–Old Town
Benning Road
Alexandria Yard
CSX RF&P Amtrak VRE
to Manassas
Capitol Heights
Van Dorn Street
Addison Road
I-95 / I-495 (
Capital
Beltway
)
Amtrak Virginia Railway Express
Franconia–Springfield
Morgan Boulevard
Amtrak & VRE
to Fredericksburg
Largo Town Center
Washington Metro system map

The Blue Line of the Washington Metro in the United States consists of 27 rapid transit stations from Franconia–Springfield to Largo Town Center. It has stations in Fairfax County, Alexandria and Arlington, Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Prince George's County, Maryland. Thirteen of the line's stations are shared with the Orange Line, 16 are shared with the Silver Line and 7 are shared with the Yellow Line. Only three stations are exclusive to the Blue Line.

History

Planning for Metro began with the Mass Transportation Survey in 1955 which attempted to forecast both freeway and mass transit systems sufficient to meet the needs of 1980.[1] In 1959, the study's final report included two rapid transit lines which anticipated subways in downtown Washington.[2] Because the plan called for extensive freeway construction within the District of Columbia, alarmed residents lobbied for federal legislation creating a moratorium on freeway construction through July 1, 1962.[3] The National Capital Transportation Agency's 1962 Transportation in the National Capital Region report anticipated much of the present Blue Line route in Virginia with the route following the railroad right-of-way inside Arlington and Alexandria to Springfield.[4] It did not include a route in Prince George's County.[4] The route continued in rapid transit plans until the formation of WMATA.

With the formation of WMATA in October 1966, planning of the system shifted from federal hands to a regional body with representatives of the District, Maryland and Virginia. Congressional route approval was no longer a key consideration.[5] Instead, routes had to serve each local suburban jurisdiction to assure that they would approve bond referenda to finance the system.[6]

The Blue Line took much of its present form along the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad right-of-way to Colchester, Virginia, as construction along existing right-of-way is the least expensive way to build into the suburbs.[7]

In March 1968, the WMATA board approved its 98-mile (158 km) Adopted Regional System (ARS) which included the Blue Line from Huntington to Addison Road, with a possible extension to Largo.[8] The ARS contained a Blue Line/Orange Line station at Oklahoma Avenue between Stadium/Armory and the Anacostia River Bridge. Local residents objected to a proposed 1,000-car commuter parking lot at that station and the traffic that it would generate in the neighborhood. In reaction to their lobbying, the DC government insisted that the station be removed and that the tunnel for the line be extended through the neighborhood.[9] This then made the line the only one to have a station canceled due to neighborhood opposition.[10] To be constructed as an above ground station in the parking lot north of RFK Stadium near Oklahoma Avenue, the station was canceled saving Metro $12 million and the alignment of the line was shifted slightly to the east to address neighbor concerns.[10] To better accommodate tourists, a Smithsonian station exit was added on the Mall and the federal government requested in 1972 that the Arlington Cemetery Station be added to the Blue Line. The federal government paid the cost of both design changes.[11]

Addison Road station

Service on the Blue Line began on July 1, 1977, on 18 stations between National Airport in Arlington and Stadium-Armory in Washington – the first link of the Metro to Virginia.[12][13] The line was extended by three stations to Addison Road on November 22, 1980.[14] Service south of National Airport began on June 15, 1991 when Van Dorn Street opened.[15] The original plan for the line was completed when this link was extended to Franconia–Springfield on June 29, 1997.[16] Two new stations in MarylandMorgan Boulevard and Largo Town Center – opened on December 18, 2004.[17]

From its opening on November 20, 1978, until December 11, 1979, the Orange Line was co-aligned with the Blue Line from National Airport to Stadium-Armory, with the Orange Line continuing east from Stadium-Armory to New Carrollton.[18] Beginning December 1, 1979, the Orange Line diverged westward from Rosslyn to Ballston.[19] The Blue and Orange Lines remain co-aligned from Rosslyn to Stadium-Armory and the Silver Line is co-signed along the same route as well.[20]

The Blue Line was originally planned to follow a slightly different route. The plan would have sent Blue Line trains to Huntington, with Yellow Line trains serving Franconia–Springfield. This was changed due to a shortage of rail cars at the time of the completion of the line to Huntington. Because fewer rail cars were required to operate Yellow Line service than would be required to run Blue Line service out to Huntington – due to the Yellow Line's shorter route – the line designations were switched.[21] From 1999 to 2008, the Blue Line operated to Huntington on July 4, as part of Metro's special Independence Day service pattern.[22]

The ARS had the Blue Line end at Addison Road. However, sports fans continually argued for a three-mile (5 km) extension to the Capital Centre sports arena in Largo, Maryland. On February 27, 1997, the WMATA board approved construction of the extension.[13] By the time the extension opened in 2004, professional basketball and hockey had relocated to a new arena atop the Gallery Place Station and the Capital Centre was replaced with a shopping mall. However, the extension still drew considerable sport spectator traffic because it is within walking distance of the FedExField football stadium.[23] The extension cost $456 million.[24]

In 1998, Congress changed the name of the Washington National Airport to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport with the law specifying that no money be spent to implement the name change. As a result, WMATA did not change the name of the National Airport Station (which never included the full name of the airport). In response to repeated inquiries from Republican congressmen that the station be renamed, WMATA stated that stations are renamed only at the request of the local jurisdiction. Because both Arlington County and the District of Columbia were controlled by Democrats, the name change was blocked. Not until 2001 did Congress make changing the station's name a condition of further federal funding.[25][26][27][28]

Route

The southwestern terminal of the Blue Line is the Franconia–Springfield Station located at the intersection of Frontier Drive and the Franconia-Springfield Parkway (Virginia Route 289). The line travels above ground along the CSX Railroad right of way where it joins the Yellow Line just south of King Street in Old Town Alexandria. The joint line continues north along the CSX Railroad until it curves to the east on an elevated bridge adjacent to the National Airport terminal. The Blue Line then enters a subway tunnel under 15th Street South in Crystal City and bends north under Hayes Street and then The Pentagon parking lots. The Blue Line separates from the Yellow Line in this tunnel and emerges on surface tracks that parallel Virginia Route 110 before entering a tunnel south of Rosslyn, where it merges with the Orange Line and Silver Line. The tunnel travels under North Lynn Street and then the Potomac River where it bends to the east and travels under I Street NW. The tunnel bends south under 12th Street NW and crosses under the Red Line in the Metro Center station. The tunnel then turns east under D Street SW, where it passes under the Yellow and Green Lines in the L'Enfant Plaza station. The tunnel continues east under Pennsylvania Avenue SE, G Street SE and Potomac Avenue SE. The Blue Line then bends north under 19th Street SE and transitions to an elevated line in the RFK Stadium parking lot near Oklahoma Avenue NE. The Blue Line crosses the Anacostia River on a bridge adjacent to Benning Road NE. At this point the line splits from the Orange Line and enters a tunnel under Benning Road and East Capitol Street. The Blue Line and Silver Line become a surface or elevated route with short tunnels parallel to Central Avenue from Addison Road – Seat Pleasant to its Eastern terminal at Largo Town Center, where it ends adjacent to the parking lots of "The Blvd" shopping center.[29]

In terms of WMATA's internal route designations, the Blue Line service travels along the entirety of the J Route (from the terminus at Franconia-Springfield to the C & J junction just south of King Street), part of the C Route (from the C & J junction just south of King Street to Metro Center), part of the D Route (from Metro Center to the D & G Junction just east of Stadium-Armory) and the entire G Route (from the D & G junction past Stadium-Armory to the terminus at Largo Town Center).[30] The Blue Line needs 23 six-car trains (138 rail cars) to run at peak capacity.[31]

Rush Plus

On June 18, 2012, Metro initiated its "Rush+" service plan, which had been under consideration for some time. This plan was intended to clear congestion at Rosslyn Station, where the Blue and Orange lines meet and ultimately prepare the tracks to accommodate the Silver Line.[32] Under the plan, Blue Line trains continued on the usual route but some Yellow Line trains originated at Franconia–Springfield and were routed over the Fenwick Bridge to Greenbelt.[33] During rush hour there were fewer Blue Line trains on the tracks which could mean potentially increased wait times for regular Blue Line customers. Furthermore, some Orange Line trains were routed to Largo Town Center until the Silver Line opened in 2014.[34]

Plans

On November 16, 1995, WMATA and the developer of the Potomac Yard area of Alexandria, Virginia, signed an agreement to construct a new station between Braddock Road and National Airport that will be financed by the developer.[13] The Federal Transit Administration, in cooperation with WMATA, the National Park Service and The City of Alexandria government, completed an environmental impact statement for the project in June 2016.[35]

A second improvement project involves building a pedestrian tunnel to interconnect the Gallery Place station with Metro Center. A July 2005 study proposed connecting the eastern mezzanine of Metro Center with the western mezzanine of Gallery Place that are only one block apart. The proposed connection would reduce the number of passengers that use the Red Line to transfer between the Yellow Line and the Blue and Orange lines at Metro Center. As of 2011, the project remained unfunded.[36]

In addition, a transportation planning group has proposed an extension of the Blue Line that would reach Potomac Mills in Prince William County.[37]

Stations

The following stations are along the line, from southwest to east:

Station Code Opened Other Metro
Line(s)
Connections/other notes
Franconia–SpringfieldJ031997Virginia Railway Express Fredericksburg Line
Southwestern terminus
Van Dorn StreetJ021991
King Street – Old TownC131983Amtrak Virginia Railway Express at Alexandria Union Station
Transfer station for the Yellow Line (southern)
Braddock RoadC121983
Potomac YardC112021 (projected)[38]
Ronald Reagan Washington National AirportC101977
Crystal CityC091977Virginia Railway Express
Pentagon CityC081977
PentagonC071977Transfer station for the Yellow Line (northern)
Arlington CemeteryC061977
RosslynC051977 Transfer station for the Orange and Silver Lines to join on same track
Foggy Bottom – GWUC041977
Farragut WestC031977
McPherson SquareC021977
Metro CenterC011977 Transfer station for the Red Line
Federal TriangleD011977
SmithsonianD021977
L'Enfant PlazaD031977 Virginia Railway Express at L'Enfant
Transfer station for the Yellow and Green Lines
Federal Center SWD041977
Capitol SouthD051977
Eastern MarketD061977
Potomac AvenueD071977
Stadium–ArmoryD081977 Transfer station for the Orange Line
Benning RoadG011980
Capitol HeightsG021980
Addison RoadG031980
Morgan BoulevardG042004
Largo Town CenterG052004Northeastern terminus
     Future station

References

  1. Schrag at p. 33-38.
  2. Schrag at p. 39.
  3. Schrag at p. 42.
  4. 1 2 Schrag at p. 55.
  5. Schrag at p. 104
  6. Schrag at p. 108
  7. Schrag at p. 110-11.
  8. Schrag at p. 117.
  9. Schrag at p. 161.
  10. 1 2 Gorney, Cynthia (June 12, 1977), "Neighbors' unity wins fight against Metro station", The Washington Post, p. C1
  11. Schrag at p. 254.
  12. Feaver, Douglas B. (July 1, 1977). "Today, Metro could be U.S. model". The Washington Post. p. A1. Archived from the original on July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017. With the opening today of its 12-mile-long Blue Line from National Airport to RFK Stadium, Washington's Metro subway grows from a downtown demonstration line into the spine of a regional transportation system that could rival the Capital Beltway in its effect on Washington.
  13. 1 2 3 "Metro History" (PDF). Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 1, 2017. Retrieved July 1, 2017.
  14. Cooke, Janet (November 23, 1980). "Three new Metro stations have a festive first day". The Washington Post. p. D1.
  15. Staff Reporters (June 15, 1991). "Van Dorn Station to open". The Washington Post. p. B5.
  16. Tousignant, Marylou (June 27, 1997). "At last, Metro reaches end of the Blue Line; Franconia-Springfield station to begin service on Sunday". The Washington Post. p. B1.
  17. Dana, Rebecca (December 19, 2004). "Metro, Prince George's extend their reach; Two new Blue Line stations open, bringing passengers and economic potential". The Washington Post. p. C2.
  18. Eisen, Jack; John Feinstein (November 18, 1978). "City-County fanfare opens Orange Line; Ceremonies open new Orange Line". The Washington Post. p. D1.
  19. Feaver, Douglas B.; Sandra G. Boodman (December 2, 1979). "Area celebrates extension of Metrorail in Arlington". The Washington Post. p. C1.
  20. Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (2010). "Dulles Metrorail Project Overview". Archived from the original on July 27, 2010. Retrieved July 25, 2010.
  21. Henderson, Nell (March 16, 1990), "Metro seeks comments on budget that includes new rail stations", The Washington Post, p. D3
  22. The Schumin Web Transit Center. "July 4 Service". Archived from the original on May 24, 2011. Retrieved July 26, 2010.
  23. "Metro - Getting Around - Metro to Events". WMATA. Retrieved June 3, 2011.
  24. Partlow, Joshua (January 1, 2005). "Newest stations to ease game-day crush; Redskins fans await rail, trail to FedEx". The Washington Post. p. B3.
  25. Schrag at p. 258.
  26. Layton, Lyndsey (April 20, 2001). "GOP Ups Pressure on Metro". Washington Post.
  27. Layton, Lyndsey (December 1, 2001). "House Votes to Require 'Reagan' at Metro Stop". Washington Post.
  28. 2002 Transportation Appropriations Act, Public Law 107-87, section 343, Statutes at Large 115 (2001) 833.
  29. Metro Washington D.C. Beltway (Map) (2000-2001 ed.). 1:38016. AAA. 2000.
  30. Schrag at p. 188.
  31. "Approved Fiscal 2009 Annual Budget" (PDF). Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. 2009. p. 80. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 3, 2010.
  32. Aratani, Lori (June 6, 2012). "Blue Line split". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 9, 2012.
  33. (1) Sun, Lena H. (February 11, 2008). "Metro Explores Rerouting Blue Line". The Washington Post. p. B-01. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
    (2) Graphic (February 12, 2008). "A New Direction for the Blue Line". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 2, 2011.
    (3) "Metro unveils new system map in preparation for Rush Plus: New rush service pattern begins June 18, 2012". Metro News Release. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. March 19, 2012. Rush Plus is designed to ease crowding, improve the commuting experience for Metrorail riders on the Orange, Blue, Green and Yellow lines, and prepare for the future Silver Line. .... Every third existing Blue Line train (three trains per hour in each direction) will now operate between Franconia-Springfield and Greenbelt via the Yellow Line bridge. These trains will be identified as Yellow Line trains. As a result, customers at Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn Street and stations from L'Enfant Plaza to Greenbelt will have new transfer-free trip options between certain stations.
  34. (1) "Metro unveils new system map in preparation for Rush Plus: New rush service pattern begins June 18, 2012". Metro News Release. Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. March 19, 2012. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017. Rush Plus is designed to ease crowding, improve the commuting experience for Metrorail riders on the Orange, Blue, Green and Yellow lines, and prepare for the future Silver Line. .... During each rush hour period, 18 new Orange Line trains — three per hour in each direction — will operate between Vienna and Largo Town Center.
    (2) Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (May 22, 2014). "Gaining Momentum: FY2015 Approved Budget: Effective July 1, 2014" (PDF). p. IV-33. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 5, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2017.
  35. "Potomac Yard Metrorail Station EIS". The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the City of Alexandria. 2016. Archived from the original on July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 5, 2017.
  36. "Gallery Place/Chinatown - Metro Center Pedestrian Passageway" (PDF). Washington Metropolitan Area Transity Authority. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 6, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2011.
  37. "Metro to Potomac Mills? Group recommends extending Blue Line, widening I-95" (PDF). Washington, D.C.: ABC7 News. February 8, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 5, 2017. Retrieved June 5, 2017 via tripnet.org (TRIP).
  38. Lazo, Luz (August 31, 2017). "Potomac Yard Metro station delayed again, now likely to open in 2021". The Washington Post. Retrieved September 3, 2017.

Bibliography

Route map:

KML is from Wikidata
  • Schrag, Zachary (2006). The Great Society Subway: A History of the Washington Metro. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-8246-X.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.