Virginia Square–GMU station
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, the $50,000 required for the change was paid for by Arlington County.[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 | ←  toward Vienna (Ballston–MU)←  toward Wiehle–Reston East (Ballston–MU)
| |
| Eastbound | → toward New Carrollton (Clarendon) → → toward Largo Town Center (Clarendon) →
| |
| Side platform, doors will open on the right | ||
References
- ^ "Metrorail Average Weekday Passenger Boardings" (PDF). WMATA. Retrieved 2014-11-04.
- ^ a b Eisen, Jack (March 10, 1977). "Fate of Metrorail line in I-66 has become uncertain". The Washington Post.
- ^ a b Feaver, Douglas B.; Boodman, Sandra G. (December 2, 1979). "Area celebrates extension of Metrorail in Arlington". The Washington Post. p. C1.
- ^ a b 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