Virginia Square–GMU station

Virginia Square–GMU is a side platformed Washington Metro station in the Virginia Square neighborhood of Arlington, Virginia, United States. The station opened on December 1, 1979, and is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The station serves the Orange and Silver Lines. The station serves the Virginia Square neighborhood as well as the Arlington campus of George Mason University (GMU). The station entrance is located at the intersection of Fairfax Drive and North Monroe Street.

Virginia Square – GMU
rapid transit station
Location3600 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia
Owned byWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
Connections Metrobus: 38B
Arlington Transit: 41, 42, 75
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Bicycle facilities12 racks, 32 lockers
Disabled accessYes
Other information
Station codeK03
History
OpenedDecember 1, 1979 (1979-12-01)
Previous namesVirginia Square (1979–1985)
Passengers
20173,597 daily [1]  0.36%
Services
Preceding station Washington Metro Following station
Ballston–MU
toward Vienna
 Orange Line Clarendon
toward New Carrollton
Ballston–MU
toward Wiehle–Reston East
 Silver Line Clarendon
toward Largo Town Center

History

Originally to be called Ballston, the station was renamed Virginia Square by the Metro board in March 1977.[2] Its name was changed due to its location at the since-demolished Virginia Square Shopping Center.[2] After several years of construction, the station opened on December 1, 1979.[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 Ballston stations.[3]

Known originally as simply Virginia Square, in July 1985 the Metro board voted unanimously to rename the station Virginia Square–GMU,[4] with the "GMU" standing for the adjacent, Arlington campus of George Mason University. Arlington County paid the $50,000 required for the change.[4]

From March 26, 2020 until June 28, 2020, this station was closed due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.[5][6][7]

Station layout
G Street level Exit/entrance, buses
M Mezzanine Fare control, ticket machines, station agent
P
Platform level		 Side platform
Westbound ← toward Wiehle–Reston East (Ballston–MU)
← toward Vienna/Fairfax–GMU (Ballston–MU)
Eastbound → toward Largo Town Center (Clarendon) →
→ toward New Carrollton (Clarendon) →
Side platform

References
  1. "Metrorail Average Weekday Passenger Boardings" (PDF). Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. May 2017. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  2. Eisen, Jack (March 10, 1977). "Fate of Metrorail line in I-66 has become uncertain". The Washington Post.
  3. Feaver, Douglas B.; Boodman, Sandra G. (December 2, 1979). "Area celebrates extension of Metrorail in Arlington". The Washington Post. p. C1.
  4. Staff Reporters (July 25, 1985), "$50,000 allotted to rename Metro stop", The Washington Post, p. C3
  5. "Special Covid-19 System Map" (PDF). Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  6. "Metrorail stations closed due to COVID-19 pandemic". Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. March 23, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  7. "Metro to reopen 15 stations, reallocate bus service to address crowding, starting Sunday | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved June 22, 2020.

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