Yesterday the Examiner reported that Alexandria officials are hoping to force interested developers to help foot the bill for two new infill Metro stations in the growing Potomac Yard and Eisenhower Avenue corridor areas.

Alexandria City Council members have inserted language to their draft master transportation plan that would prevent the city from approving development in Potomac Yard and in the Eisenhower Valley, two hot spots for future redevelopment, unless the developer contributes to the funding and building of one of the new Metro stations. The idea would add two stops to the existing Blue and Yellow line routes through Alexandria, one at Potomac Yard and a second stop in the Eisenhower Avenue corridor.

Former DCist Editor Ryan “Density is Life” Avent likes the idea of infill stations:

Infill stations are a cheap way to add transit connectivity. Of course, it would be nice if the Metro system could support express traffic as well as local, so that new stations wouldn’t excessively slow trips into the city. But all in all, this would be a nice move.

Those of you who agree shouldn’t get too excited — these stations wouldn’t be a reality for at least several years, not to mention that the $100 million price tag for each one is still just a pipe dream. Still, if adding an extra stop or two would make it more likely that Alexandria residents would leave their cars at home when commuting into the city, we would certainly get behind this plan.

Photo by dcflamenco