Crystal City Station in Virginia is in need of improvements to accommodate its high volume of riders and future growth. Currently, the station is one of the more highly used stations in Arlington County, as well as on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) system, serving as the destination for approximately 18 percent of VRE riders. The station's present configuration is inadequate, with a single track and a short platform, leading to safety concerns, operational inefficiencies, and limited train capacity.
To address these issues, VHB is working with VRE to provide engineering and environmental services for the proposed station improvements. This includes refining the conceptual design, developing preliminary design plans, preparing environmental documentation, obtaining permits, and conducting public and stakeholder outreach. VHB is using model-based design (MBD) to develop a detailed 3D model to understand the integration of structures, utilities, and grading prior to construction. MBD has enhanced collaboration and helped visualize how the station will connect with surrounding ongoing projects, including the CC2DCA Pedestrian Bridge and Crystal City East Entrance.
VHB’s years of experience serving VRE, involvement in the planning and study phase of the improvement effort, and unique knowledge of the project area help to deliver an innovative design solution for Crystal City Station that aligns with VRE’s overall strategic development plan. The reconfigured station will feature a longer platform served by two tracks—improvements that will enhance safety and reliability of the railroad, while mitigating operational bottlenecks and expanding train capacity and benefiting the overall functionality of the station.
