Pentagon station

Pentagon station
Company type	Washington Metro station
Industry	Public transportation
Founded	July 1, 1977; 49 years ago
Headquarters	Arlington, Virginia, United States
Area served	Washington Metropolitan Area
Products	Metro rail services (Blue and Yellow Lines)
Parent	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)

Pentagon station is a split platform facility on the Washington Metro network, situated next to The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. Managed by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), it commenced operations on July 1, 1977. This station serves both the Blue and Yellow Lines, acting as a crucial junction where these lines separate. Heading north, the Blue Line continues to station, whereas the Yellow Line crosses the Potomac River into the District of Columbia.

The inauguration of Pentagon station coincided with the launch of of track connecting National Airport and RFK Stadium, representing a notable extension of the Metro system.

As of 2024, Pentagon station handles about 5,952 passengers daily, ranking it 16th among 98 stations in terms of ridership. The underground facility features two split side platforms on different levels and integrates multiple bus connections accessible via its upper and lower bus bays. It provides six bicycle parking racks and is fully compliant with accessibility standards. For security reasons, photography within the station premises is prohibited.

Bus service

Serving as a prominent bus transfer center in northern Virginia, Pentagon station’s current bus terminal was established in 2001 during the Pentagon Renovation Program. It accommodates several transit agencies including:

Arlington Transit: routes 42, 87, 87A, 87P, 87X
DASH: routes 35, 103, 104
Fairfax Connector: routes 306, 393, 394, 395, 396, 598, 599, 698, 834, 835
Metrobus: routes A11, A25, A27, A28, A66, A90, F28, F29, F44, F81, F83, F85
Loudoun County Transit: routes 282, 482, 682, 882
PRTC OmniRide: routes 543, 602, 612, 942; plus D-100, D-200, D-300; L-100, L-200; MC-100, MC-200; RS

Station layout

Positioned underground adjacent to The Pentagon, this station once featured a secure direct entryway to The Pentagon and its subterranean shopping mall. This access point was sealed off in 2001 amid renovation efforts. Presently, entry is gained through a secured above-ground entrance near the bus terminal and subway entrances. Directional signs at stations such as Gallery Place-Chinatown assist passengers accordingly.

Pentagon is among two stations where opposing train directions board on separate levels to prevent at-grade crossings due to the close proximity where the Blue and Yellow lines diverge. At the north end of the platform exists a destination display—Blue for , Yellow for —a feature reserved for pivotal transfer stations like .

Located south of this station are two disused tunnels that were originally planned for a Columbia Pike extension project which was subsequently canceled.

S	Upper level	Pentagon, Pentagon Memorial, upper level bus bays
1	Lower level	Lower level bus bays
M	Mezzanine	Fare gates, ticket machines, station manager
	Side platform
	Northbound	Template:WMATA icon toward Template:Wmata (Template:Wmata) → Template:WMATA icon toward Template:Wmata (Template:Wmata) →
T	Southbound	← Template:WMATA icon toward Template:Wmata (Template:Wmata) ← Template:WMATA icon toward Template:Wmata (Template:Wmata)
T	Side platform

2010

On March 4, 2010, John Patrick Bedell, an individual opposed to the government, opened fire and injured two Pentagon police officers at a security checkpoint. The officers responded by shooting him in the head; Bedell succumbed to his injuries the next day.

2021

A stabbing incident occurred at the Pentagon on August 3, 2021, resulting in the death of officer George Gonzalez and prompting a security lockdown. The assailant, Austin William Lanz, subsequently took his own life using Gonzalez's service weapon. Lanz's family reported that he had been dealing with mental health issues before the event. Authorities had also been pursuing Lanz in connection with a prior break-in in Georgia.

Notable places nearby

External links

Archived The Schumin Web Transit Center: Pentagon Station