Federal Center SW station
| Company type | Washington Metro station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | July 1, 1977 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
| Owner | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) |
Federal Center SW station is a Washington Metro facility situated in the Southwest Federal Center district of Washington, D.C.. It is managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). Since its inauguration on July 1, 1977, the station has accommodated the Orange, Silver, and Blue Lines. Positioned at the intersection of 3rd and D Streets, it includes a single island platform.
History
Originally labeled as Voice of America station on preliminary maps due to the proximity of a government radio broadcast service, the name was changed to Federal Center SW in 1971. This renaming followed a recommendation from Eliot Richardson, then Secretary of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare, to better represent the federal institutions in the vicinity. The station commenced operations simultaneously with an 11.8-mile stretch of track linking National Airport to RFK Stadium, which encompassed several major stops including Arlington Cemetery, Capitol South, and L'Enfant Plaza. Service on the Orange Line was introduced on November 20, 1978, while Silver Line trains began stopping here on July 26, 2014.
The station experienced a temporary shutdown between March 26 and June 28, 2020, due to the COVID-19 health crisis. Additionally, it was closed from January 15 to January 21, 2021, as a security measure connected to Joe Biden’s presidential inauguration.
Station layout
This station is distinguished by its 22-coffer "waffle" ceiling vault architecture, a design it shares with , , , , and .