Transportation Alert:
Project architects reviewed the corridor for resources that could inspire the BRT station architecture. In the review of project resources, the project architects found that the resources could be organized into potential “themes.” The three themes were presented at a community meeting at the September 2019.
The history of the Richmond Highway corridor is a history of transformation. Access to the Potomac and the natural ecology resulted in a prime location for farming, but settlement greatly altered that ecology, replacing wetlands with farmlands and otherwise reconfiguring the natural environment.
As development continues in this region, it is done with a regard for that history but also a greater understanding of how new development can both respect and restore the natural environment.
The History + Ecology theme embodies the confluence of these influences and represents how transit can play a role in the restoration of ecological balance.
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The Richmond Highway corridor has a storied military history which continues to this day. The corridor also played a unique role in the development of aviation, with local airports converted to flight training centers during World War II.
While those uses are gone today, their spirit continues through place names such as Beacon Hill and Lockheed Boulevard, and through the historic markers and memorials reflecting this period.
The Aviation + Military theme honors this history with a focus on the role of flight with its dynamic shapes and materials reflecting the ideals of movement and connection.
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From its conception in the 1920s, Route 1 was a critical element in the transportation network for the United States, connecting the major cities of the East Coast. A predecessor to the interstate highway system, the post-WWII boom car culture spurred the development of an eclectic mi of housing, service stations, restaurants and motels along the Richmond Highway corridor, reflecting its role as a gateway to the DMV area.
The role continues to this day, with Huntington Metro Station serving as a gateway into the Metrorail system and Richmond Highway continuing to serve as a major transportation route, shopping destination, and connector to flourishing neighborhoods.
The Corridor + Gateway theme captures the exuberance of this era of transportation transformation with simple (yet iconic) forms, diverse colors, and bold lighting/signage.
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Click to enlarge |
More than 250 community members participated in a workshop to provide input on themes for the architectural design of the planned BRT stations. You can read a summary of that meeting here. Using the feedback from community members as inspiration, the project team worked with a multi-department workgroup, as well as the County Supervisors and others on the project Executive Committee, to develop and refine two concepts to be advanced for your review and feedback. In that process, the project team took into account technical station architecture needs, community input related to the three themes, and design inspirations and precedents.
Each concept shows a station that is 140 feet long. The canopy (covered area) is about 70 feet long and at least 13.5 feet above the platform.
For comparison, a standard WMATA Metro train car is 75 feet long and about 11 feet tall.
Concept 1 incorporates Aviation and Ecology theme elements.
Concept 2 incorporates Gateway and History theme elements.
Though there will only be one final concept used at all nine BRT stations, there are spaces in both concepts to incorporate the history and characteristics of the neighborhoods surrounding each station area.There are several ways the station area neighborhood “charm” or identity could be reflected in the station design. For example:
Below, you can see examples of where these neighborhood identity elements could be placed at each station.
