Structure type Underground Opened 1 December 1979 Tracks 2 | Bicycle facilities 54 racks Platforms in use 2 | |
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Location 4230 Fairfax DriveArlington, VA 22203 Connections Metrobus: 1A, 1B, 2A, 10B, 22A, 22B, 22C, 23A, 23B, 25B, 23T, 38B Arlington Transit: 41, 42, 51, 52, 53, 62, 75 Address Arlington, VA, United States Similar East Falls Church station, Virginia Square–GMU station, West Falls Church station, Rosslyn station, Ballston Common Mall | ||
Ballston–MU is a side platformed Washington Metro station in Arlington, Virginia, United States. The station opened on December 1, 1979, and is operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA). The station serves the Orange and Silver Lines. The station serves the transit-oriented community of Ballston, Ballston Common Mall as well as Marymount University (MU). Ballston–MU is also a major Metrobus transfer station. The station entrance is located at North Fairfax Drive and North Stuart Street, near the intersection of Wilson Boulevard and North Glebe Road. It is the last underground station for outbound trains on both lines. West of this station, the tracks rise above ground inside the median of Interstate 66.
History
Originally to be called Glebe Road, in March 1977 the Metro board changed its name to Ballston. After several years of construction, the station opened on December 1, 1979, as the western terminus of the Orange Line. Its opening coincided with the completion of approximately 3 miles (4.8 km) of rail west of the Rosslyn station and the opening of the Court House, Clarendon and Virginia Square stations. Ballston would serve as the western terminus of the Orange Line from its opening through the opening of its extension to the Vienna station on June 7, 1986. The station remains as the final underground station for westbound travelers since its completion.
Known simply as Ballston since its opening, in December 1995 the Metro board voted unanimously to rename the station Ballston–MU, with the "MU" standing for the adjacent Marymount University. The $85,000 required for the change was paid for by Arlington County.
On Tuesday September 24, 2013, the Arlington County Board approved a funding plan for the county's share of revenue generated by Virginia's new transportation legislation. The plan calls for $500,000 to be allocated to planning for a new western entrance to the Ballston–MU station located at the intersection of N. Fairfax and Vermont Streets. The funding request would suggest that the entrance could be built by 2018.