Pentagon Metro station

Pentagon Metro station is an underground Washington Metro station in Arlington County, Virginia, directly serving the Pentagon headquarters of the United States Department of Defense. Located on the Blue and Yellow Lines, it is one of the busiest stations in the Washington metropolitan area due to its strategic location. The station opened on July 1, 1977, as part of the original Metro system and features a distinctive brutalist architectural design.

History

The station's planning was integral to the initial Regional Transit System proposals in the 1960s, designed to serve federal employees and facilitate transit across the Potomac River. Construction coincided with the development of the Metrorail network under the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, opening with the inaugural segment of the Blue Line from National Airport to Stadium–Armory station. Its original planned name, Pentagon City, was changed prior to opening to avoid confusion with the adjacent Pentagon City development. The station has since been a critical node during major events, including the 2001 anthrax attacks and the January 6 United States Capitol attack.

Station layout

The station consists of a single underground island platform serving two tracks, with entrances located on the southwest side of The Pentagon near the South Parking Lot. Designed by the architectural firm Harry Weese & Associates, the station features raw concrete finishes and a vaulted ceiling typical of the system's early brutalist style. A large mezzanine above the platform contains fare gates and leads to a network of underground pedestrian tunnels connecting directly to the Pentagon's concourse level. The station is fully accessible with elevators and is noted for its stark, utilitarian aesthetic.

Services and connections

Pentagon station is served by the Blue Line and Yellow Line, providing direct service to Alexandria, Downtown D.C., and Prince George's County, Maryland. Key transfer points include King Street–Old Town and L'Enfant Plaza. The station is a major bus hub for Arlington Transit (ART) and Metrobus routes, including the WMATA 7A, 10A, and 16 lines, offering connections to Crystal City, Columbia Pike, and Pentagon City. There is no Kiss and ride or Park and ride facility, emphasizing its role as a transit hub for commuters.

Incidents and security

The station was the site of a fatal shooting on November 22, 1983, when a gunman attacked passengers. It was evacuated and closed following the September 11 attacks in 2001, as a hijacked plane, American Airlines Flight 77, struck the adjacent Pentagon. The station subsequently underwent significant security enhancements, including increased patrols by the Metro Transit Police Department and the United States Pentagon Police. It is monitored by an extensive network of Closed-circuit television cameras and is designed with hardened infrastructure as part of the National Capital Region's security protocols.

Nearby landmarks

The station's primary landmark is the Pentagon, the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense and one of the world's largest office buildings. Adjacent to the station is the Pentagon Memorial commemorating the victims of the 9/11 attack. The station also provides access to the Pentagon City shopping district, which includes the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and the Pentagon Row complex. Other nearby points of interest include the Route 110 corridor, the Netherlands Carillon, and the Air Force Memorial, with connections to Arlington National Cemetery via local bus services.

Category:Washington Metro stations in Virginia Category:Railway stations in Arlington County, Virginia Category:Railway stations opened in 1977 Category:1977 establishments in Virginia