Potomac Yard Metro Deadline Pushed Forward Four Years

Originally, Alexandria's Potomac Yard Metro station was planned to open by 2016, but it looks like the deadline was pushed back to 2020. The reason why the planned station is behind schedule is that the Metro still needs more time to plan and build the station, according to Alexandria City Manager Mark Jinks. The project's preliminary design and build specifications will be presented to potential bidders next fall with a contract awarded by spring of 2017. The Washington Post reported that the Metro approved an additional $5.8 million in funding for the project's design and engineering. The $268 million station is being funded by the the local and federal government, state grants, tax revenue, and developer contributions. The Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank also awarded the project a $50 million loan, while the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority offered $70 million. Jinks told The Washington Post that this project is probably one of the largest investments ever taken by Alexandria. The station will be located between the Braddock Road and Reagan National Airport stations on the Metro's Blue and Yellow lines. The daily ridership of the station is expected to be 11,300 trips with $2.4 billion generated in tax revenue over the next 35 years. Alexandria is expected to take on roughly $200 million in debt.

· Potomac Yard Metro station, once slated for 2016, now to open in 2020 [The Washington Post]
· Potomac Yard Metro Site Chosen, Worries Over Tax Hike [Curbed DC]
· Financial Progress on Potomac Yard Metro With $50M Loan [Curbed DC]
· Potomac Yard Metro Site Chosen, Worries Over Tax Hike [Curbed DC]