Metro Modernizes College Park Station Access

Metro removes escalator at College Park station entrance, installing wider staircase

Metro Replaces College Park Escalator

Metro riders using College Park station's River Road and Campus Drive entrance will find a new staircase replacing the old escalator. Transit officials said the upgrade involves removing the existing street-level escalator and installing a wider staircase to improve access. The project affects one of the station's main entry points, though officials haven't specified how long construction will take or when the new stairs will open.

Why Metro's Changing the Entrance Design

The shift from escalator to staircase represents a change in how the station entrance will function, according to the transit agency. Officials said the wider staircase should improve pedestrian flow and provide more reliable access than the aging escalator. Transit agencies often replace escalators with stairs when maintenance costs become prohibitive or when fixed stairs can better serve ridership patterns. Specific details about the escalator's age or maintenance history weren't available.

What the New Staircase Will Provide

The new staircase will be wider than the escalator it's replacing, officials said, though exact measurements weren't provided. Metro said the design aims to handle commuter and student traffic more effectively at the College Park location. The station serves the University of Maryland campus area, where ridership includes students, faculty, and local residents. Officials didn't release cost estimates for the entrance modification or say whether similar changes are planned at other stations.

Construction Timeline and Access

The entrance modification is currently underway, according to Metro, though officials haven't announced a completion date. Riders should expect the River Road and Campus Drive entrance to be affected during construction and allow extra time when accessing the station. The agency didn't specify whether the entrance remains partially open during work or if riders must use alternate entrances. Metro typically provides advance notice of major access changes, but details about interim access arrangements weren't immediately available.

What Riders Need to Know

Passengers using College Park station should plan for potential delays when accessing the River Road and Campus Drive entrance during the construction period. Officials said the wider staircase will ultimately provide better access, though the transition may cause temporary inconvenience. Moovit provides real-time updates and alternative route information for Metro riders navigating station changes and service modifications throughout the DC area.