DC Metro Upgrades Crystal City Access This Spring
Metro to close Crystal City station 10 weekends from February to June for second entrance
Metro Closes 10 Weekends for Crystal City Work
Washington Metro riders face 10 weekends of station closures between February and June as the transit agency completes infrastructure improvements. Metro will shut down Crystal City station and several nearby stops to build a second entrance at Crystal City and perform track work, transit officials said. Free shuttle buses will replace train service at affected stations, though officials haven't specified exact routes or how much additional travel time riders should expect.
Construction Timeline and Scope
The closure schedule spans five months, with work concentrated on weekends to minimize weekday commuter impact. Metro typically schedules major construction during weekends when ridership is lower, allowing crews to complete work that can't be done while trains are running. Officials said the Crystal City second entrance project is part of broader efforts to improve station access and capacity, though they didn't provide cost estimates or detailed construction timelines. The agency hasn't released specific weekend dates for each closure phase.
Multiple Stations Affected by Closures
Crystal City station will close for all 10 weekends, while Reagan National Airport station will be affected on select dates, officials said. Potomac Yard station, which opened more recently, will experience closures during three of the 10 affected weekends. Officials described the service impact as high-severity but didn't specify how many daily riders will be affected or provide ridership data for the impacted stations. The agency said shuttle buses will maintain connectivity between closed stations, though specific shuttle stop locations and frequency weren't available by publication time.
Implementation Begins in February
The first weekend closure takes effect in February, with work continuing through June, transit officials confirmed. The agency hasn't announced specific dates for each of the 10 closure weekends or said when it will release a detailed schedule. Metro typically notifies riders several weeks before major service changes through station signage and announcements, though officials didn't confirm whether advance notice timelines will follow standard procedures for these closures.
Riders Should Plan Extra Travel Time
Passengers traveling to Reagan National Airport or using affected stations should expect longer trips during closure weekends and consider alternative routes when possible. Officials said shuttle buses will be free but didn't specify how frequently they'll run or where stops will be located. Metro riders can check Moovit for real-time updates on shuttle bus locations and alternative routing options during the construction period. The agency said it will provide more details as the first closure weekend approaches.
