Branch Avenue station
| Company type | Washington Metro station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | January 13, 2001 |
| Headquarters | Suitland , United States |
Area served | Prince George's County, Maryland |
| Owner | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) |
Branch Avenue station is a Washington Metro facility featuring an island platform located in Suitland, Maryland. Managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), it began operations on January 13, 2001. Serving as the southeastern endpoint of the Green Line, the station lies just before the Branch Avenue Rail Yard. Positioned near the intersection of Auth Road and Old Soper Road, it is the nearest Metro access point to Andrews Air Force Base.
History
Initially designated as the southeastern terminus of the Green Line in the 1968 routing plan, Branch Avenue station's status changed when, by 1978, the Prince George's County Council endorsed a terminus closer to Rosecroft Raceway. This prompted Metro to adopt that route in 1980. However, this adjustment faced legal opposition from residents who contended that the proposed alignment conflicted with the original 1968 blueprint. Judicial decisions in 1981 and 1982 mandated that construction along the Rosecroft path could not advance without undergoing public scrutiny and planning processes.
After these court outcomes and Metro's choice not to pursue further appeals, the agency voted in December 1984 to restore Branch Avenue as the terminus. This decision facilitated continuation of Green Line development into Prince George's County.
The groundbreaking ceremony for this concluding segment of the Green Line took place on September 23, 1995. The station officially opened on January 13, 2001, alongside approximately 7 miles of new track extending southeast from Anacostia. On this date, four additional stations—Congress Heights, Naylor Road, Southern Avenue, and Suitland—also commenced service. This event signified the fulfillment of the system’s initial design.
Station layout
Branch Avenue station is built with an island platform situated within an open cut area between Auth Way and Capital Gateway Drive. Parking facilities are available on both sides of the station. Nearby lies a rail yard with capacity for storing up to 116 railcars.
External links
- The Schumin Web Transit Center: Branch Ave Station
- Station from Auth Way from Google Maps Street View