WASHINGTON – Plans for the new Potomac Yard Metro station have taken another big step forward now that Alexandria has released the long-awaited draft environmental impact statement for the project.
The report considers the impact of adding a new station on the Blue and Yellow lines between Reagan National Airport and Braddock Road. It reviews several station options along with a no-build option.
The report finds 5,000 fewer car trips would be made each day once the station is built and expects 10,000 to 11,300 daily boardings at the new station. The total increase in walking, biking and transit use would be about 34 percent.
All of the station options would make it easier to access transit, provide more transportation choices, and boost the share of trips taken by transit, bike and walking as opposed to by car.
The report finds Alternative B, which would include a direct connection to the Potomac Yard shopping center, would provide the most square feet of development under approved plans. Alternative A would likely be the cheapest option and is south of East Glebe Road.
The report does not include updated costs for the delayed the project, but earlier projections said the station would cost between $119 million and $539 million depending on which option was chosen.
Alexandria Mayor Bill Euille said earlier this month that he expected the City Council to choose one of the locations for the station by the end of May.
While the station is being built, construction could impact traffic traveling along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Public meetings on the draft are set for March 31, April 8 and April 13 in Alexandria. Written comments can be submitted through May 18.
Metro will hold its own public hearing on April 30. And the Alexandria’s City Council plans to hold another public hearing on May 16.
The city is also holding open houses with more information about the project from 6:30 p.m to 9 p.m. on April 8 and April 13.
The April 8 open house at Charles Houston Recreation Center will focus on parks and wetlands.
The April 13 open house at Cora Kelly Recreation Center will focus on transportation, noise, vibration and construction access.
The station could open in 2018.
