It was talked about for decades. Now it’s a reality. Metrorail riders started using the new Potomac Yard-Virginia Tech Station Friday.
The station that sits on the Yellow and Blue lines between the Braddock Road and Reagan National Airport stations is Metro’s 98th one and its second infill station. The other station that’s been between exisiting stations is NoMa-Gallaudet U, back in 2004.
The first customers have arrived and so has the first train (🟡)!
— Metro Forward (@wmata) May 19, 2023
Welcome to Potomac Yard Station! #wmata #YourMetro pic.twitter.com/OaEJk28e3Y
“This station will provide better, more accessible transportation, spur economic growth and help reduce the region’s carbon footprint,” said Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Randy Clarke, in a news release.
The station is walking distance to the new Virginia Tech Innovation Campus that’s expected to open next year. Metro said it will serve those living in the community and the nearby Potomac Yard Shopping Center, as well as other retail businesses.
It’s expected the station, officially named “Potomac Yard-VT,” will generate billions in new private sector investment while supporting 26,000 new jobs, and 13,000 new residents.
While the station does not have parking, it does have convenient access to Metroway and Alexandria DASH bus service and connects to other regional transportation systems. The station does have a Bike & Ride facility, and there are walking paths close to the station.
“We appreciate the hard work and vision of the city to turn an idea more than 40-years in the making into reality,” Clarke said.
A total of six Alexandria mayor worked on bringing a station to Potomac Yard. The $370 million station took three years to complete once ground was broken. And it took more than 3,750 feet of new track to connect it with existing tracks.
Feature image courtesy Twitter/WMATA
For more stories like this, subscribe to Northern Virginia Magazine’s News newsletter.
