Rosslyn station
| Company type | Washington Metro station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | July 1, 1977 |
| Headquarters | Arlington, Virginia , United States |
Area served | Washington Metro network |
| Products | Metro rail services (Blue, Orange, Silver lines) |
Rosslyn station serves as the furthest west stop on the shared track segment utilized by the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines within the Washington Metro network. Situated in the Rosslyn area of Arlington County, Virginia, it represents the initial Virginia station encountered when traveling westbound from Washington, D.C. on both the Orange and Silver Lines, as well as southbound on the Blue Line. Positioned among four principal transfer hubs west of the Potomac River, Rosslyn lies at the heart of a developing commercial district.
In 2023, Rosslyn recorded an average of 5,941 daily fare gate entries, ranking it as the 11th most frequented station in the entire Metro system and the busiest outside of Washington, D.C.. Due to its role as a significant congestion node within the transit network, planners have explored proposals to introduce an additional station in Rosslyn. This potential addition might form part of an inner loop connecting Washington and Arlington, aimed at alleviating pressure on the system’s core.
Station layout
Entrances to Rosslyn station are located on North Moore Street and Fort Myer Drive. The North Moore Street entrance includes a cluster of three high-speed street elevators providing access to the mezzanine level. Historically, Rosslyn accommodated several express Metrobus routes, including the now-defunct D.C.–Dulles Line (route 5A).
Distinctively, Rosslyn is one of just two stations where trains traveling in opposite directions board from separate platform levels to prevent at-grade track crossings. This arrangement arises because the Orange/Silver and Blue lines diverge shortly beyond this station, eliminating shared track segments for opposing trains. A destination indicator located at the station’s south end shows arriving train lines—Orange for , Blue for , and Silver for —a feature typically reserved for terminal transfer points such as .
Rosslyn holds the distinction of being the deepest station served by these three lines. Its mezzanine and upper platforms lie approximately 103 feet beneath street level, while the lower platform reaches about 117 feet deep. This substantial depth results from its placement atop a bluff overlooking the Potomac River, with its rail tunnel bored through bedrock roughly 101 feet below the river’s surface. The station takes advantage of durable and watertight rock formations found approximately 40 feet underground. Passengers experience an escalator journey from street level to mezzanine lasting about three minutes.
The station is notable for having separate entrances for accessible and general use—a feature rare within the Washington Metro system and shared only by , , and stations. The subterranean corridor leading to the elevator bank showcases a distinctive four-coffered arch design characteristic of Red Line stations opened post-1980; Rosslyn uniquely combines this arch style with waffle ceiling patterns found on other lines, making it singular among Blue, Orange, and Silver Line stations.
History
Rosslyn station commenced operations on July 1, 1977, coinciding with the completion of rail service connecting National Airport to RFK Stadium. This launch included several major stations such as , , , , , among others. The Orange Line began serving Rosslyn on November 20, 1978, marking its official inauguration.
On October 7, 2013, Rosslyn unveiled a new bank of three high-speed elevators along with an expanded mezzanine area that replaced the original single street elevator. This upgrade reduced elevator travel time from about one minute down to just 17 seconds. The $49.9 million project—funded in part (42.2%) by Arlington County—also introduced an emergency stairwell, a station manager kiosk, and new fare payment machines, all contributing to improved passenger circulation and enhanced operational management at the station.