WMATA breaks ground on Crystal City Metrorail station entrance

Representatives of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), Arlington County and other local and state officials broke ground July 12 on the future east entrance to the Crystal City Metrorail station in Virginia.

The new station entrance is set to open in late 2027. It will include an above-ground station entrance with fare gates and fare vending machines, two new elevators and a set of stairs from a new mezzanine to the train platforms.

With a new east entrance, the station will have greater capacity and less crowding during peak periods, more access for people with mobility needs, and provide another point of access for emergency responders when needed, WMATA officials said in a news release. The new entrance is closer to a main arterial of Crystal Drive and to transfer points for other transportation modes.

“Crystal City is one of our busiest stations in Virginia with more than 5,500 average daily entries,” said WMATA General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. "A new entrance is expected to help meet growing demand in the coming years as Amazon and other developments continue to grow."

Arlington County is overseeing construction of the new entrance, but WMATA will take over the new entrance and operate it once construction is completed.