Huntington station (Washington Metro)
| Company type | Washington Metro station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | December 17, 1983 |
| Headquarters | Fairfax County , United States |
Area served | Fairfax County, Virginia |
| Owner | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) |
| Website | www |
Huntington station is a Washington Metro stop featuring an island platform located in the Huntington neighborhood of Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, though its postal address is Alexandria. Managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), it serves as the southern endpoint of the Yellow Line. Constructed on a hillside, the station's south mezzanine and escalator access are equipped with an incline elevator to ensure accessibility.
Designed to accommodate commuters from Fairfax County, Huntington station provides more than 3,000 parking spaces and is situated between North Kings Highway (State Route 241) and Huntington Avenue, with entry points and parking facilities on both sides. It holds the distinction of being the first Metro station to open in Fairfax County and the initial extension beyond the Capital Beltway. The site also holds historical significance as the location of Fort Lyon, a fort from the Civil War era.
History
Although initially planned for a summer 1982 debut, the station's opening was postponed due to a shortage of subway cars and the absence of a test track. Construction was finished by summer 1982, and in September 1983, Metro announced that the station would open in December once new cars became available. The official opening occurred on December 17, 1983, coinciding with the completion of a 4.2-mile rail segment between National Airport and Huntington, as well as the inauguration of Braddock Road, Eisenhower Avenue, and King Street–Old Town stations.
In May 2018, Metro revealed plans for extensive platform renovations at twenty stations. Consequently, from May through September 2019, the Blue and Yellow Lines south of National Airport—including Huntington—were closed to facilitate demolition of an unused parking structure and to rehabilitate a track crossover. Huntington’s platform underwent reconstruction from January to May 2020.
Between September 10 and November 5, 2022, Huntington was closed to enable integration with the Potomac Yard station project, impacting all stations south of National Airport; shuttle bus services operated during this interval. Beginning November 6, 2022, Blue Line trains serviced Huntington due to Yellow Line suspension related to the 14th Street Bridge project, running between Huntington and New Carrollton until May 7, 2023. Following this period, Yellow Line service resumed but was shortened to operate only from Greenbelt to Mount Vernon Square.
Station layout
Huntington station displays a distinctive architectural style within the Metro system by being partially elevated and embedded into a hillside. Access from the north is provided via a viaduct carrying tracks from downtown Washington, D.C., while the island platform’s southern end lies below ground level. The tracks continue into short tunnels designed for possible future expansion. The platform canopy is supported by buttresses anchored into the sloped walls surrounding the station’s depression. Due to its unique terrain, Huntington incorporates an incline elevator, which is singular within Metrorail and rare across U.S. transit systems. WMATA has not explained why this design was selected rather than a conventional vertical elevator paired with a horizontal corridor.
Huntington is one of only two stations exclusively served by the Yellow Line, along with .
| S | Street level | Upper level entrance/exit, buses, parking |
| M | Mezzanine | Fare gates, ticket vending machines, station manager |
| T Platform level |
Northbound | Template:WMATA icon toward Template:Wmata (Template:Wmata) → |
| Island platform | ||
| Northbound | Template:WMATA icon toward Template:Wmata (Template:Wmata) → | |
| S | Street level | Lower level entrance/exit, buses, parking, fare gates, ticket vending machines, station manager |
Buses and parking
Huntington functions as a key transportation center for the southern region of Fairfax County, Virginia, with connections provided by Metrobus and Fairfax Connector services linking various regional destinations.
In August 2008, a parking structure with 1,424 spaces was inaugurated on the station’s eastern side. Overall, the station accommodates 3,617 parking spots. The previous surface parking area located off North Kings Highway is currently being transformed into residential and commercial developments. Parking fees are set at $4.85 on weekdays, while no charge applies during weekends and federal holidays.
External links
- The Schumin Web Transit Center: Huntington Station