Farragut North station
| Company type | Washington Metro station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | March 27, 1976 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Area served | Downtown Washington, D.C. |
| Products | Rapid transit services |
Farragut North station is a subterranean stop on the Washington Metro's Red Line, located in Washington, D.C. It serves the Downtown district just northwest of Farragut Square. In 2024, it was ranked as the eighth most frequented station, with an average daily ridership of 8,580.
History
Opening on March 27, 1976, Farragut North was one of the initial five stations launched alongside the Red Line. It functioned as the line's western endpoint until Dupont Circle began operations on January 17, 1977. The station's coffer was painted white in 1992.
On February 12, 2010, a derailment occurred on the pocket track north of Farragut North when the lead car left the rails. Among approximately 345 passengers aboard, one individual required hospitalization; however, all were safely evacuated. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the incident was triggered by a derailer device intended to prevent trains from entering active mainline tracks and thereby avert collisions.
A significant ceiling crack discovered on November 24, 2009, necessitated prompt repair work. Subsequently, on November 17, 2010, concrete debris fell through the station’s roof following nearby street construction activities; emergency repairs enabled reopening by the following day. Throughout 2011, extensive structural improvements were undertaken including installing an additional support column, addressing moisture-induced ceiling cracks, replacing acoustic tiles, and refurbishing escalators.
On January 15, 2018, a train from the 7000-series derailed between Farragut West and Metro Center due to a fractured rail segment. Emergency responders faced challenges caused by inadequate radio communication and limited cellular coverage within the tunnel.
After nearly four years offline, the station’s chiller system was restored in 2019.
For security reasons tied to Joe Biden’s inauguration, Farragut North station was closed from January 15 through January 21, 2021.
Farragut West tunnel
Despite being only one block apart, Farragut North lacks a direct transfer passage to Farragut West station. Originally, WMATA planned to create a single Farragut station to serve as an alternate transfer hub and reduce congestion at Metro Center. However, building this using the cut-and-cover technique would have disrupted Farragut Square above—a restriction imposed by its owner, the National Park Service. As a result, two separate stations were constructed without an interconnecting pedestrian link.
In its 2002 capital improvement plan, Metro proposed constructing an underground walkway connecting Farragut North and Farragut West to alleviate transfer bottlenecks. This initiative also included plans to enhance station capacity by adding more fare gates, extending mezzanine areas, and improving platform-to-mezzanine access points.
On October 28, 2011, Metro introduced the Farragut Crossing program. This allows passengers using SmarTrip cards to transfer between these two stations on foot within a 30-minute window without incurring additional charges.
Station layout
The architectural design of Farragut North includes an elongated mezzanine that spans much of the platform area with an open central void overlooking it. Two elevated mezzanines serve separate escalator banks and exits; these are supported by distinctive buttress-like structures. The station’s west end features a low and flat ceiling designed to accommodate a planned but never constructed freeway ramp for Interstate 66.
Just south of the station lies a non-revenue track branching off from the outbound line that connects with the shared tracks used by the Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines between Farragut West and McPherson Square.
Pulse, a sculpture created in 2013 by Jefre Manuel using acrylic resin tiles, is located at the Connecticut Avenue and K Street entrance. Funded by both the Golden Triangle BID and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, it contributes to the station’s collection of public art.
External links
- Articles with short description
- 1976 establishments in Washington, D.C.
- Downtown (Washington, D.C.)
- K Street
- Stations on the Red Line (Washington Metro)
- Railway stations in the United States opened in 1976
- Washington Metro stations in Washington, D.C.
- Railway stations located underground in Washington, D.C.