Pentagon (WMATA station)

Pentagon (WMATA station)
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Name	Pentagon
Type	Washington Metro station
Address	1 South Rotary Road
Borough	Arlington, Virginia
Owned	Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority
Platforms	2 side platforms
Structure	Underground
Parking	None
Bicycle	Capital Bikeshare
Opened	March 1, 1971

Contents

Pentagon (WMATA station) is a rapid transit station in Arlington, Virginia, serving the Blue Line and Yellow Line of the Washington Metro. Located adjacent to the Pentagon and the Pentagon Reservation, the station functions as a major interchange for commuters traveling to and from Washington, D.C., Alexandria, and suburban jurisdictions such as Fairfax County and Prince George's County. It connects with regional transit services including the Metrobus-style networks, federal shuttle services, and intermodal links to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Location and layout

The station is sited beneath the western edge of the Pentagon complex within Arlington County, providing direct access to the Pentagon Memorial and proximity to major roadways such as the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Interstate 395. The underground configuration comprises two side platforms flanking dual tracks, with mezzanine levels and faregates that feed pedestrian tunnels and skyways serving the Pentagon Transit Center and tenant entrances used by agencies including the Department of Defense, United States Army, United States Navy, and United States Air Force. Vertical circulation is provided by escalators, elevators, and stairways; signage references nearby points of interest such as the Arlington National Cemetery and Fort Myer.

Construction of the station was part of the original Washington Metro expansion plan overseen by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and opened on March 1, 1971, in tandem with early segments connecting Rosslyn station and central Washington, D.C. hubs. During the 1970s energy crisis and periods of federal growth, the station became integral to movements of personnel to installations including the Pentagon Reserve. Over time, policy decisions by the Metro Board of Directors and funding actions by the United States Congress influenced service changes and capital upgrades. The station was thrust into national attention after the September 11 attacks when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the adjacent Pentagon, prompting emergency response coordination among FEMA, United States Secret Service, Arlington County Fire Department, and federal law enforcement agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Homeland Security.

Pentagon station is served by the Blue Line and Yellow Line, with operational oversight by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Peak and off-peak schedules are determined by the Metro's service planning staff and the Metro Safety Commission. The station functions as a node for multimodal connections to Metrobus, regional commuter services including Virginia Railway Express, shuttle operations affiliated with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, and airport connections to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Fare policies follow the SmarTrip system administered by WMATA and fare adjustments have been subject to votes by the Metro Board of Directors and guidance from the Federal Transit Administration.

Architecturally, the station incorporates vaulted concrete elements characteristic of early Washington Metro design, drawing lineage from stations such as Dupont Circle station and Metro Center. Wayfinding, lighting, and public address systems comply with standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and WMATA accessibility policies, enabling elevator access for riders from agencies like the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and contractors. Art and commemorative installations reference nearby landmarks such as the Pentagon Memorial and are integrated with security fixtures coordinated with the United States Secret Service and DoD security requirements. Bicycle amenities include connections to Capital Bikeshare and regional trail networks like the Mount Vernon Trail.

Security at the station is a collaborative effort among WMATA Transit Police, the Arlington County Police Department, and federal entities including the United States Capitol Police when relevant. The station's proximity to the Pentagon has made it a focal point for heightened security protocols, especially after the September 11 attacks, when emergency procedures involved FEMA, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Other incidents have prompted WMATA-level responses coordinated with the Office of Inspector General (United States) and periodic reviews by the Metro Transit Police Department and the Metro Safety Commission.

Future planning initiatives affecting the station are shaped by WMATA capital investment programs, funding decisions by the United States Congress, and regional planning bodies such as the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board and the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. Proposals have considered resiliency upgrades to address risks identified by the DHS and infrastructure modernization in line with Federal Transit Administration grant criteria. Transit-oriented development discussions nearby involve stakeholders including Arlington County Board, federal tenants of the Pentagon, and regional developers, correlating with broader regional initiatives like the Sustainable Communities Initiative.

Category:Washington Metro stations Category:Arlington County, Virginia transportation