Shady Grove (WMATA station)

Shady Grove

Shady Grove station, facing south
Station statistics
Address 15903 Somerville Drive
Derwood, MD 20855
Lines
  Red Line
Connections Metrobus
MTA Route 991
Ride On
Structure Surface
Platforms 1 island platform
Tracks 2
Parking 5,467 spaces
Bicycle facilities 32 racks, 60 lockers
Other information
Opened December 15, 1984; 27 years ago (December 15, 1984)
Accessible
Code A15
Owned by WMATA
Traffic
Passengers (2006) 5.071 million  4%
Services
Preceding station   Washington Metro   Following station
Terminus Red Line
toward Glenmont

Shady Grove is an island platformed Washington Metro station in Derwood, Maryland, United States. The station was opened on December 15, 1984, and is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Serving as the northwestern terminus of the Red Line, it is the station most distant from downtown Washington. The station is the location of the Shady Grove Yard, one of the largest storage yards in the Metrorail system.

Contents

Location

Despite its name, Shady Grove station is located within the unincorporated community of Derwood; it takes its name from Shady Grove Road to the north. Much of the surrounding area is industrial or low-density residential in nature, although Rockville Road to the south contains strips of commercial activity.[1] To the west is MD 355 (Frederick Road), a continuation of Rockville Pike, which the Red Line parallels throughout much of its route in western Montgomery County; MD 200A connects the Shady Grove station to I-370 and MD 200, better known as the Intercounty Connector. a toll road extending east to I-95.

Transit-oriented development

In order to cope with increasing population growth and subsequent traffic congestion while combating urban sprawl, the Montgomery County Planning Department released the Shady Grove Sector Plan, which aims to act as a guideline for mixed-use growth around the station. The plan emphasises high-density residential and commercial properties within the immediate vicinity of Shady Grove station, with a steady transition to low-density as the distance from the station increases.[1]

The Sector Plan divides the surrounding area into five districts: Metro North, Metro East, Metro West, Metro South, and Jeremiah Park. Combined, there will be over 6,000 residential units within walking distance of Shady Grove station. In addition, the plan encourages the creation of a walkable street grid with defined main streets integrated with a comprehensive open space and park system.[1]

History

The station opened on December 15, 1984.[2] Its opening coincided with the completion of 7 miles (11 km)[3] of rail northwest of the then named Grosvenor station and the opening of the Rockville, Twinbrook and White Flint stations.[2] In 1996, this station was the site of the Washington Metro's second fatal accident in which one person was killed.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c Shady Grove sector plan Montgomery County Planning Retrieved 20 September 2010
  2. ^ a b Zibart, Eve (December 16, 1984), "A rainbow coalition flocks to Red Line; four stops open amid hoopla", The Washington Post: A1 
  3. ^ Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (July 2009). "Sequence of Metrorail openings". http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/docs/metrofacts.pdf. Retrieved July 30, 2010. 
  4. ^ "Railroad Accident Report: Collision of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Train T-111 with Standing Train at Shady Grove Passenger Station, Gaithersburg, Maryland, January 6, 1996". National Transportation Safety Board. 1996-10-29. http://www.ntsb.gov/doclib/reports/1996/rar9604.pdf. Retrieved July 30, 2010. 

External links