Will Metrorail Extend the Blue and Yellow Lines?

Pipe dream or forward-thinking? 

U.S. Reps. Jim Moran (D-8th) and Gerry Connolly (D-11th) have introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would authorize studying Metrorail's possible expansion down the Route 1 and I-95 corridors.

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The Northern Virginia Metrorail Extension Act (H.R. 907), which is now before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, specifically cites extending the Yellow Line down Route 1 farther into Fairfax County and onto Prince William. It also proposes studying the extension of the Blue Line along the I-95 corridor to Woodbridge and the Orange Line from Vienna to Centreville. 

“Northern Virginia has the worst traffic in the nation, impacting the quality of life for the hundreds of thousands of commuters who sit in traffic hours each day,” Moran said in a statement. “Public transit is the answer to this unrelenting congestion. It’s better for commuters, our economy and the environment. Every $1 invested in public transit yields $4 in economic benefits. As the population in this region continues to grow, so must our public transportation infrastructure.”

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Connolly said the extension of Metro could spur economic growth in the region and potentially reduce traffic congestion. He said the region has “already experienced the benefits of transit-oriented development along Metro lines” in Alexandria and elsewhere.

Metro's long-term strategic plan released in January specifically mentions extending the Orange and Blue lines by 2040, but not extending the Yellow Line.

• See: Metro Momentum Offers Expansive Plans for System's Future