Commanders' dream stadium already has a nightmare hiding in plain sight

"Currently, only 4,000 to 5,000 fans use Metro to get to games in Landover, according to WUSA9. That's partly because it's a roughly one-mile walk from the nearest station. Northwest Stadium also has around 22,000 parking spots, so most fans just drive."

"The new stadium flips that equation on its head with only 8,000 parking spots for a 65,000-seat venue. WMATA expects between 26,000 and 38,000 people to arrive by bus or rail on game days."

"Instead, WMATA has confirmed a new Metro station at the RFK site isn't feasible. It's estimated to cost $1 billion and cannot be completed before the stadium's projected 2030 opening."

"The proposed solution is a combination of upgrades to the existing Stadium-Armory station, about a half-mile from the stadium, and the introduction of the Gold Line. Don't let the name fool you, it's not as cool as it sounds. It's essentially dedicated bus lanes running from Union Station to the stadium, a la the D.C. Streetcar, for anyone who remembers that."

Getting to Northwest Stadium in Landover is difficult due to traffic, long walks from Metro, and poor infrastructure, leading to long-standing rankings among the league’s worst venues. The Commanders’ move back to the RFK site was expected to improve transportation, but new constraints are emerging. Only a small share of fans currently use Metro for Landover games, while most drive because parking is plentiful. The new 65,000-seat stadium will have far fewer parking spaces, and WMATA expects many more arrivals by bus or rail. WMATA says a new Metro station at the RFK site is not feasible, with an estimated $1 billion cost and no completion before a 2030 opening. Proposed access centers on upgrading the Stadium-Armory station and adding the Gold Line, plus dedicated bus lanes from Union Station to the stadium.

Read at Riggo's Rag