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After 25 years in operation, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) broke ground Dec. 16 on its first station beyond the originally designed 103-mile system.


When complete in late 2004, the "in-fill" station would be at New York Avenue on WMATA’s Red Line between Union Station and Rhode Island Avenue station.


"It represents a tremendous challenge to us to build a station between two existing stations and continue to operate the rest of the Metrorail system conveniently for our customers," said General Manager Richard White in a prepared statement. "Our talented corps of engineers will employ their considerable skills to get the job done in a manner requiring minimal disruption to the community and to all customers."


Construction is estimated to cost $84 million. District of Columbia would contribute $34 million; and federal government, $25 million. A special assessment of private land owners would provide the remaining $25 million.


The five remaining stations included in WMATA’s original transit plan are on target to open Jan. 13, just in time for President-elect George W. Bush’s inauguration. They are: Congress Heights in District of Columbia, and Southern Avenue, Naylor Road, Suitland and Branch Avenue in Prince George’s County.