Virginia Square–GMU station

Virginia Square–GMU
Location	3600 Fairfax Drive Arlington, VA 22201
Owned by	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Line(s)	Orange Line Silver Line
Platforms	2 side platforms
Tracks	2
Connections	Metrobus: 38B Arlington Transit: 41, 42, 75
Construction
Structure type	Underground
Bicycle facilities	12 racks, 32 lockers
Disabled access	Yes
Other information
Station code	K03
History
Opened	December 1, 1979
Previous names	Virginia Square (1979–85)
Traffic
Passengers (2015)	3970 daily [1]  6.69%
Services
Preceding station   Washington Metro   Following station Ballston–MU toward Vienna Orange Line Clarendon toward New Carrollton Ballston–MU toward Wiehle – Reston East Silver Line Clarendon toward Largo Town Center

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 serves the Orange and Silver Lines. 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. Arlington County paid the $50,000 required for the change..^[4]

Station layout

G	Street Level	Exit/ Entrance
M	Mezzanine	One-way faregates, ticket machines, station agent
P Platform level	Side platform, doors will open on the right
	Westbound	← Orange Line toward Vienna (Ballston–MU) ← Silver Line toward Wiehle–Reston East (Ballston–MU)
	Eastbound	→ Orange Line toward New Carrollton (Clarendon) → → Silver Line toward Largo Town Center (Clarendon) →
	Side platform, doors will open on the right

References

1. "Metrorail Average Weekday Passenger Boardings" (PDF). WMATA. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
2. Eisen, Jack (March 10, 1977). "Fate of Metrorail line in I-66 has become uncertain". The Washington Post.
3. Feaver, Douglas B.; Boodman, Sandra G. (December 2, 1979). "Area celebrates extension of Metrorail in Arlington". The Washington Post. p. C1.
4. Staff Reporters (July 25, 1985), "$50,000 allotted to rename Metro stop", The Washington Post, p. C3

External links

Media related to Virginia Square – GMU (WMATA station) at Wikimedia Commons

• WMATA: Virginia Square–GMU Station
• StationMasters Online: Virginia Square–GMU Station
• The Schumin Web Transit Center: Virginia Square–GMU Station
• Monroe Street entrance from Google Maps Street View

Coordinates: 38°52′58″N 77°06′12″W / 38.882886°N 77.103328°W