DC Metro Upgrades L'Enfant Plaza for Safer Rides
Six escalators at L'Enfant Plaza's two main entrances undergo phased replacement
L'Enfant Plaza Escalators Close Through 2026
Metro riders using L'Enfant Plaza Station face extended escalator outages through August 2026 as WMATA replaces aging equipment at two major entrances. Three escalators at Entrance B on 6th Street will remain out of service from late May 2024 through June 2025, transit officials said. The work affects one of the system's busiest transfer stations, where riders connect between multiple rail lines during daily commutes.
Phased Construction Approach
The replacement project uses a phased approach to maintain some station access throughout the multi-year construction period. WMATA is tackling Entrance B first, followed by Entrance C at 9th Street from June 2025 through August 2026, where three additional escalators will be replaced. Transit agencies typically stagger major infrastructure work to avoid closing entire stations, though the extended timeline means riders will navigate construction impacts for more than two years. The work addresses aging escalator systems that require replacement to maintain safe station operations.
Six Escalators Being Replaced
The project involves replacing six escalators total across the two entrances, with three at each location undergoing complete replacement. Officials said the work is necessary to upgrade infrastructure at one of the system's most heavily used transfer points. L'Enfant Plaza serves as a connection hub for multiple rail lines, making escalator reliability particularly important for passenger flow. Specific ridership figures for the affected entrances weren't available, though the station ranks among WMATA's busiest locations for daily boardings and transfers.
Extended Timeline Through 2026
The Entrance B work that began in late May 2024 will continue through June 2025, followed immediately by the Entrance C project from June 2025 to August 2026. Officials said the sequential approach allows the station to remain open while critical infrastructure improvements are completed. Riders should expect the construction to affect access patterns for more than two years total, though WMATA hasn't specified whether any interim completion milestones will restore partial escalator service before the full project wraps up in summer 2026.
Planning for Station Access
Passengers using the affected entrances should plan for additional commute time and consider alternative entrances during the construction period. Riders with mobility concerns may face particular challenges navigating the station without full escalator access. Officials said maintaining some level of access throughout construction remains a priority, though specific accommodations for passengers with disabilities weren't detailed. Moovit provides real-time updates on Metro station conditions and can help riders plan routes that account for ongoing construction impacts at L'Enfant Plaza.
