Metro Adds Weather Protection at Arlington Cemetery

Metro installs weather-protection canopies at Arlington Cemetery station through 2026

Metro Adds Canopies at Arlington Cemetery Stop

Metro riders using Arlington Cemetery station will see protective canopies taking shape above escalators at both entrances through summer 2026. The transit agency's installing two weather-protection structures—one at the north entrance and one at the south entrance on Memorial Drive—as part of a systemwide upgrade, officials said. Steel framing's already up at both locations, and crews are now installing skylight glass.

Context

The Arlington Cemetery canopies are part of Metro's broader capital plan to install or replace nine protective canopies across the Metrorail system by 2026. Transit officials said the structures shield both riders and escalator mechanisms from rain, snow, and ice, which can accelerate equipment wear and cause service disruptions. The project launched June 5, 2023, with construction scheduled exclusively during non-revenue hours to avoid disrupting daily service. Metro didn't provide cost estimates for the Arlington Cemetery installation or the systemwide canopy initiative.

Details

Both station entrances remain fully accessible throughout the three-year construction period, according to Metro. The two elevators on Memorial Drive's north side—which serve both platform levels—continue operating normally. All construction activity happens after trains stop running for the night, officials said. Skylight framing and glass installation are currently underway at both the north and south entrances, following completion of the steel canopy structures. Officials said the canopies will extend escalator lifespan by reducing weather exposure, though they didn't specify projected maintenance cost savings.

Timeline

The canopy installation project runs through summer 2026, nearly three years after breaking ground in June 2023. Metro officials said the extended timeline reflects the complexity of installing large structures above active station entrances while maintaining full service. The agency didn't provide milestone dates for when each canopy will be completed or whether the north and south entrances will finish simultaneously. Officials said they're working to complete all nine systemwide canopy projects by the 2026 deadline.

Impact

Riders won't experience service interruptions or entrance closures during the installation work, since all construction happens during overnight non-revenue hours. The completed canopies will provide weather protection for customers using the escalators while helping Metro reduce long-term maintenance costs on escalator systems. Moovit provides real-time service updates and trip planning for Metro's rail and bus network, helping riders navigate any temporary construction-related changes at Arlington Cemetery station.