by Wilson B. Harkins II/photos by the author
A major milestone in redevelopment of the former Richmond, Fredericksburg & Potomac (RF&P) Railroad Potomac Yard site in Alexandria, Va., occurred May 19, 2023, when the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) opened the new Potomac Yard Metro Station. This station serving the Blue and Yellow lines, is Metro’s 98th station and is only the second infill station (constructed between existing stations on the system).
Construction of Potomac Yard Station required relocation of existing Metro tracks at the Potomac Yard site, and once the tracks were relocated into the new station area, passengers could monitor construction progress as they traveled through the station. Metro workers were doing some last-minute cleaning in the station the day before the grand opening. The station opened for business at normal Metro operating hours on the 19th, and a Grand Opening Ceremony was held at 10:30 a.m…