Virginia Square – GMU (WMATA station)

Virginia Square-GMU
Station statistics
Address 3600 Fairfax Drive
Arlington, VA 22201
Lines
  Orange Line
  Silver Line (planned)
Connections WMATA Metrobus
Structure Underground
Platforms 2 side platforms
Tracks 2
Bicycle facilities 12 racks, 32 lockers
Other information
Opened December 1, 1979
Accessible
Code K03
Owned by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Formerly Virginia Square (1979-1985)
Traffic
Passengers (2007) 2.103 million[1]  8%
Services
Preceding station   Washington Metro   Following station
toward Vienna
 Orange Line
toward Route 772
 Silver Line (planned)

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 presently serves only the Orange Line, but is also planned to be on the Silver Line, which is scheduled to start operations in 2013. 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.

History

Originally to be called Ballston, in March 1977 the Metro board officially changed its name to Virginia Square.[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, the $50,000 required for the change was paid for by Arlington County.[4]

References

  1. ^ FY2006-07 Metrorail ridership summary by station Think Outside the Car Retrieved 2009-11-28
  2. ^ a b Eisen, Jack (March 10, 1977). "Fate of Metrorail line in I-66 has become uncertain". The Washington Post. 
  3. ^ a b Feaver, Douglas B.; Sandra G. Boodman (December 2, 1979), "Area celebrates extension of Metrorail in Arlington", The Washington Post: C1 
  4. ^ a b Staff Reporters (July 25, 1985), "$50,000 allotted to rename Metro stop", The Washington Post: C3 

External links

Media related to [//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Virginia_Square_%E2%80%93_GMU_(WMATA_station) Virginia Square – GMU (WMATA station)] at Wikimedia Commons