Rhode Island Avenue station
| Company type | Washington Metro station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | March 27, 1976 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Area served | Washington Metro Red Line |
Rhode Island Avenue station—also known as Rhode Island Avenue–Brentwood—serves the Red Line of the Washington Metro in Washington, D.C. Situated within the Brentwood area of Northeast D.C., this station features an elevated platform spanning Rhode Island Avenue NE (U.S. Route 1).
History
Constructed on grounds that were once part of the African-American Columbian Harmony Cemetery, the station's development in 1976 revealed that some human remains had not been previously moved. During excavation, at least five coffins along with numerous bones were uncovered. A memorial plaque has been installed near one of the station’s entrances to honor this history. Additional remains were discovered during a parking lot renovation in 1979.
The station commenced operations on March 27, 1976, becoming one of the initial stations in the Metro network and serving as the eastern endpoint of the Red Line until February 6, 1978, when Silver Spring took over as terminus.
Initially designated simply as "Rhode Island Avenue," the station was officially renamed "Rhode Island Avenue - Brentwood" on November 20, 2004. This update coincided with the inauguration of the "New York Avenue - Florida Avenue - Gallaudet University" station and acknowledged the Brentwood neighborhood location. The revised name first appeared on WMATA schedules and maps, with new signage and pylons installed by August 2005.
Between July 21 and September 3, 2018, the station was temporarily closed to address platform repairs necessitated by structural settling and concrete deterioration caused by winter de-icing chemicals.
Future improvements
In May 2018, Metro announced a comprehensive platform renovation project affecting twenty stations system-wide, with reconstruction at Rhode Island Avenue–Brentwood slated to begin in September 2020.
Station layout
The primary entrance is located just south of Rhode Island Avenue along Washington Street N.E. The station features an island platform that is considered to be the highest elevated platform within the Metro system.
Notable places nearby
- WMATA's Brentwood Rail Yard
- USPS Washington Main Office
- Edgewood Terrace Apartment Complex
- Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
External links
- The Schumin Web Transit Center: Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Station
- Rhode Island Avenue entrance from Google Maps Street View