Ballston–MU station

Ballston–MU station is a side platformed Washington Metro station in Arlington County, Virginia. The station opened on December 1, 1979, and is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The station is part of the Orange and Silver Lines and serves the transit-oriented community of Ballston, Ballston Quarter, and Marymount University (MU).

Ballston–MU
The Ballston–MU station in March 2004
General information
Location4230 Fairfax Drive
Arlington, Virginia
Coordinates38.8820057°N 77.1115141°W / 38.8820057; -77.1115141
Owned byWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
Connections
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Bicycle facilitiesCapital Bikeshare, 54 racks
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeK04
History
OpenedDecember 1, 1979 (December 1, 1979)
Previous namesGlebe Road (during construction)
Ballston (1979–1997)
Passengers
20223,047 daily[1]
Rank21st
Services
Preceding station Washington Metro Following station
East Falls Church
toward Vienna
 Orange Line Virginia Square–GMU
toward New Carrollton
East Falls Church
toward Ashburn
 Silver Line Virginia Square–GMU
toward Downtown Largo
Location

Ballston–MU is also a central Metrobus transfer station. The station entrance is at North Fairfax Drive and North Stuart Street, near Wilson Boulevard and North Glebe Road. West of this station, the tracks rise above the ground inside the median of Interstate 66.

History

Originally to be called Glebe Road, the station was renamed Ballston by the Metro board in March 1977.[2] After several years of construction, the station opened on December 1, 1979, as the western terminus of the Orange Line.[3] Its opening coincided with the completion of approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) of rail west of the Rosslyn station and the opening of the Court House, Clarendon and Virginia Square stations.[3] Ballston would serve as the western terminus of the Orange Line from its opening through the opening of its extension to the Vienna station on June 7, 1986.[4] The station remains as the final underground station for westbound travelers since its completion.[5]

Known simply as Ballston since its opening, in December 1995, the Metro board voted unanimously to rename the station Ballston–MU,[6] with the "MU" standing for the adjacent Marymount University. The $85,000 required for the change was paid for by Arlington County.[6]

In September 2013, the Arlington County Board approved a funding plan for the county's share of revenue generated by Virginia's new transportation legislation. The plan calls for $500,000 to be allocated to planning for a new western entrance to the Ballston–MU station located at the intersection of N. Fairfax and Vermont Streets. The funding request would suggest that the entrance could be built by 2018.[7]

The station was the western terminus for Orange Line trains due to Platform Reconstructions at stations west of Ballston.[8][9] On August 16, 2020, all Orange Line trains were extended to West Falls Church station when it reopened bypassing East Falls Church station.[10][11][12]

Station layout
G Street level Exit/entrance, buses
M Mezzanine Fare control, ticket machines, station agent
P
Platform level		 Side platform
Westbound ← toward Ashburn (East Falls Church)
← toward Vienna (East Falls Church)
Eastbound → toward Downtown Largo (Virginia Square–GMU) →
→ toward New Carrollton (Virginia Square–GMU) →
Side platform

References
  1. "Rail Ridership Data Viewer". WMATA. Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. Retrieved February 9, 2023.
  2. Eisen, Jack (March 10, 1977). "Fate of Metrorail line in I-66 has become uncertain". The Washington Post.
  3. Feaver, Douglas B.; Sandra G. Boodman (December 2, 1979). "Area celebrates extension of Metrorail in Arlington". The Washington Post. p. C1.
  4. Lynton, Stephen J. (June 8, 1986). "9.1 More Miles For Metrorail". The Washington Post. p. C1.
  5. Hodge, Paul (November 29, 1979). "A walking tour of Arlington's four new subway stations". The Washington Post. p. Virginia 5.
  6. Baker, Peter; Stephen C. Fehr (December 21, 1995). "Longer name for Ballston Metro". The Washington Post. p. Virginia 1.
  7. "Board Requests Planning Funds for New Ballston Metro Entrance". ARLnow. September 25, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2013.
  8. "Metro to use upcoming low-ridership summer to maximum effect, expands Orange, Silver line shutdown". www.wmata.com. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  9. "Platform Improvement Project | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  10. "Metro to add more buses, trains and extended hours as part of Covid-19 Recovery Plan beginning Sunday, August 16 | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved August 16, 2020.
  11. "Silver Line service will return August 16, along with reopening of six stations in Fairfax County | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
  12. Pascale, Jordan. "Metro To Reopen Silver Line Stations In August". DCist. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 11, 2020.
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