Tenleytown–AU (WMATA station)

Tenleytown-AU
Station statistics
Address 4501 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20016
Lines
Connections

WMATA Metrobus (31, 32, 36, 37, D32, H2, H3, H4, M4, N2, N8, W45, W47)

American University Shuttle
Structure Underground
Platforms 1 island platform
Tracks 2
Parking 17 spaces (parking meters)
Bicycle facilities 20 racks, 20 lockers
Other information
Opened August 25, 1984
Accessible
Code A07
Owned by WMATA
Formerly Tenley Circle
Tenleytown
Traffic
Passengers (2010) 2.816 million[1]
Services
Preceding station   Washington Metro   Following station
Red Line
toward Glenmont

Tenleytown-AU is a rapid transit station on the Red Line of the Washington Metro in Washington, D.C. Located in the Upper Northwest neighborhood, it is the last station on the Red Line heading outbound wholly within the District of Columbia; the next stop, Friendship Heights, lies within the District and the state of Maryland.

Contents

Location

The southernmost station underneath the Wisconsin Avenue NW corridor, Tenleytown-AU station lies within the neighborhood of the same name in the Upper Northwest portion of the city. More specifically, it lies north of Tenley Circle, for which the area is named, below Wisconsin Avenue NW at its intersection with Albemarle Street NW. Nearby are several educational institutions, the most notable of which are: American University (which is over one mile away from the station, albeit connected by a shuttle); Sidwell Friends School, famous for being the school of choice of presidential children; Woodrow Wilson High School; the high school of Georgetown Day School; and the affiliated National Cathedral School and St Albans Schools.[2] In addition, Fort Reno Park and the Washington National Cathedral are located close to the station.[2]

History

Originally to be called Tenley Circle, in February 1980 the Metro Board officially changed its name to Tenleytown.[3] The station opened on August 25, 1984.[4][5] Its opening coincided with the completion of 6.8 miles (10.9 km) of rail northwest of the Van Ness–UDC station and the opening of the Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Grosvenor and Medical Center stations.[4][5][6] In May 1989, although objected to by several community groups, the Metro Board officially changed its name to Tenleytown-AU due to its proximity to American University.[7] The $63,500 cost of changing the names on signs, pylons and maps throughout the system was paid for by the District government.[7]

Station layout

Like most underground stations on the northwestern stretch of the Red Line, Tenleytown-AU has three levels below street level: a middle landing, mezzanine, and the platform.[8] There are two entrances, one on either side of Wisconsin Avenue NW, that lead to a middle landing below the avenue. A set of escalators brings passengers from the landing to the mezzanine, the location of fare control. A final group of escalators links the mezzanine with the single island platform, characteristic of deep-bore stations on the Washington Metro. Uniquely, due to architectural and structural reasons, there is an elevator directly to the platform, with a faregate at that level.[8]

Gallery

References

  1. ^ Neighborhood profiles WDCEP Retrieved 2011-10-19
  2. ^ a b Tenleytown-AU evacuation map WMATA Retrieved 2010-11-01
  3. ^ Staff Reporters (February 15, 1980), "Metro station to be named Tenleytown", The Washington Post: A6 
  4. ^ a b Staff Reporters (August 25, 1984), "Red Line adds 6.8 miles; Opening ceremony for new segment set for today at Friendship Heights", The Washington Post: B1 
  5. ^ a b Brisbane, Arthur S. (August 26, 1984), "All aboard; Metro festivities welcome latest Red Line extension", The Washington Post: A1 
  6. ^ Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (July 2009). "Sequence of Metrorail openings". http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/docs/metrofacts.pdf. Retrieved August 1, 2010. 
  7. ^ a b Staff Reporters (May 12, 1989), "Metro names change", The Washington Post: C4 
  8. ^ a b Tenleytown-AU station WMATA Retrieved 2010-01-11

External links