Second entrance for McLean Metro station on track to finish this year

(Updated at 5 p.m.) By the end of this year, Capital One Center might have a more convenient entrance to the McLean Metro station.

Construction on a north entrance for the station is underway and on track for completion by the end of the year, according to a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority spokesperson.

To ensure the project can be finished, the WMATA Board of Directors approved an access agreement at its meeting on Thursday (July 27) that will enable the transit agency’s contractors to “cross and occupy” Capital One’s property.

“The contractor will immediately establish a storage area, continue site work and begin using the Capital One property to access the construction site,” Metro staff said in a summary of the agreement. “Because of the urgency of continuing contracted work, the resolution requests that this approval take immediate effect.”

The new entrance will be located north of Route 123 (Dolley Madison Blvd) near the Scotts Crossing Road intersection. Riders can currently only access the station at 1824 Dolley Madison Blvd from the south side near Scotts Run, where there is also a small kiss-and-ride lot.

According to WMATA, the project includes the “addition of double doors in the north curtainwall, exterior sidewalks, lighting and other necessary improvements.”

The project’s $1.3 million budget is primarily being funded by Fairfax County through I-66 toll revenues awarded by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission in 2021.

Capital One also agreed to contribute $300,000 and will pay for any additional work that’s needed, such as “steps, additional lighting and relocation of a waterline,” Metro staff said.

Under the approved access agreement, WMATA and its contractors are required to restore any portion of Capital One’s property affected by construction to its existing condition. The transit agency could also be on the hook for up to $10 million if there are any costs related to injuries or property damages.

While the new entrance is expected to be finished this year, it won’t officially open to the public until Capital One completes construction on the adjacent Capital One East lot, according to the Metro spokesperson.

Replacing a parking lot, Capital One Center opened a temporary baseball park on the lot earlier this year. A permanent urban park with recreational amenities, landscaping, a plaza and food truck parking is also planned for the site.

Back in March, the developer said construction on the urban park could start later this year and wrap up in late 2024. Capital One Center didn’t immediately return a new request for comment.

Correction: The headline initially suggested that the new Metro station entrance will open this year. WMATA says that, while construction will be finished, an opening won’t come until Capital One finishes its work.