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Virginia Square–GMU station

Coordinates: 38°52′59″N 77°06′12″W / 38.8829435°N 77.1033092°W / 38.8829435; -77.1033092
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Virginia Square–GMU
Virginia Square-GMU station in May 2010
General information
Location3600 Fairfax Drive
Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
Coordinates38°52′59″N 77°06′12″W / 38.8829435°N 77.1033092°W / 38.8829435; -77.1033092
Owned byWashington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
Connections
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Bicycle facilitiesCapital Bikeshare, 12 racks, 32 lockers
AccessibleYes
Other information
Station codeK03
History
OpenedDecember 1, 1979; 44 years ago (1979-12-01)
Previous namesVirginia Square (1979–1985)
Passengers
20231,680 daily[1]
Rank62 out of 98
Services
Preceding station Washington Metro Following station
Ballston–MU
toward Vienna
 Orange Line Clarendon
toward New Carrollton
Ballston–MU
toward Ashburn
 Silver Line Clarendon
toward Downtown Largo
Location
Map

Virginia Square–GMU station is a Washington Metro station in the Virginia Square neighborhood of Arlington County, Virginia, United States. The side platformed 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

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Originally to be called Ballston, the station was renamed Virginia Square by the Metro board in March 1977.[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–MU 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]

This station was closed from March 26, 2020, until June 28, 2020, due to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.[5][6][7]

References

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  1. ^ "Metrorail Ridership Summary". Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  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.; Boodman, Sandra G. (December 2, 1979). "Area celebrates extension of Metrorail in Arlington". The Washington Post. p. C1.
  4. ^ a b Staff Reporters (July 25, 1985), "$50,000 allotted to rename Metro stop", The Washington Post, p. C3
  5. ^ "Special Covid-19 System Map" (PDF). Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  6. ^ "Metrorail stations closed due to COVID-19 pandemic". Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. March 23, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2020.
  7. ^ "Metro to reopen 15 stations, reallocate bus service to address crowding, starting Sunday | WMATA". www.wmata.com. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
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