It's Official: After Successful Test Runs, Northern Virginia Metro Stations Reopen Monday

Six Metro stations along the Blue and Yellow lines are set to reopen Monday after a months-long renovation project.

The Braddock Road, King Street-Old Town, Van Dorn Street, Franconia-Springfield, Eisenhower Avenue and Huntington stations are in line to be open in time for morning commuters.

Metro sent the first test trains along rails south of the Reagan-National Airport station late Friday and early Saturday to check for proper alignment and clearance, WMATA said on Twitter. 

No issues or concerns were identified, meaning the stations are cleared to open on Monday.

It's good news for riders who had to find alternative transportation, including taking shuttles or taking buses, since May.

"It's been very difficult," rider Brittany Bryant said. "The traffic has been a lot worse than expected and the buses have been crazy crowded." 

The stations were in immediate need of upgrades, especially to the platforms. In 2018, riders had to take an 8-10 inch step to get on and off trains at the Braddock Road station. One rider told News4 she fell and was badly bruised.

Metro made other improvements, including repairing escalators and installing new digital displays for passengers.

This summer shutdown was an early phase of a $15 billion upgrade project, Metro says.

Riders will likely still see some construction equipment around, but the reopening will surely make Monday a bit better for commuters in Northern Virginia.