Major Delays Coming For DC Metro Riders

WASHINGTON, DC -- If you're a regular Metro rider in D.C., this summer is going to be a pretty unpleasant one for you.

Metro will be undertaking two major projects that will significantly disrupt the lives of riders. A huge 45-day Red Line maintenance project begins Saturday and will last until Sept. 3, and it will involve the complete shutdown of the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood and Brookland stations, with shuttle buses replacing those trains.

The second project involves the Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines, and it begins Saturday, Aug. 11 and continues through Sunday, Aug. 26. Metro crews will work "around the clock" to rebuild the rail infrastructure in the "sharpest and most heavily traveled curve in the Metrorail system" located between Metro Center and Smithsonian stations.

"Customers who normally use these lines [Orange, Silver, and Blue] are strongly encouraged to use alternate transportation during these days, as rail service will be significantly reduced," Metro said in a statement. "During this time, Orange and Silver line trains will run only once every 20 minutes at all times of the day with single tracking in effect between McPherson Square and Smithsonian. The Blue Line will run only in Virginia between Franconia-Springfield and Arlington Cemetery, and customers traveling between Virginia and DC will need to use Yellow Line trains to cross the Potomac River."

Metro is advising Red Line customers of the following:

• Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland stations will be closed for 45 days, from July 21 through September 3.
• There will be no Red Line service between Fort Totten and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations. Red Line customers should transfer to Green or Yellow line trains between Fort Totten and Gallery Place to avoid the work zone. Metro will add capacity to the Green/Yellow lines to accommodate Red Line riders, including running some Yellow Line trains to/from Greenbelt. During rush hours, Red Line trains will operate every 6 minutes between Shady Grove and NoMa-Gallaudet, and every 10 minutes between Glenmont and Fort Totten.
• For customers traveling to/from Brookland or Rhode Island Ave stations, free shuttle buses will provide alternate service between Fort Totten, Brookland, Rhode Island Ave, and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations. In addition, Metro will operate express shuttles between Brookland and Rhode Island Ave and the areas of Metro Center, Gallery Place and Union Station.
• MetroExtra G9 will operate at all hours the rail system is open, seven days per week, connecting Rhode Island Ave with Downtown DC and other rail and bus lines.
• To reduce travel times, Metro has received approval from the District Department of Transportation to use a new dedicated bus lane along Rhode Island Ave. NE for MetroExtra G9 from North Capitol St. to 12th St. NE. The lane will operate Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Rush Hour Promise will not be in effect for trips to or from stations between Glenmont and NoMa-Gallaudet U. The program will remain in effect for Red Line travel between Shady Grove and NoMa-Gallaudet U.

Metro is advising Orange/Blue/Silver line customers of the following:

• The capital improvement project will run from Saturday, August 11, through Sunday, August 26. For 10 commuting days, all Orange, Silver and Blue line customers are encouraged to use alternate transportation, as rail service will be significantly reduced.
• Orange and Silver line trains will single track between McPherson Square and Smithsonian, with trains running only every 20 minutes at all times of the day.
• During rush hours, additional Yellow Line trains will operate every 16 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Greenbelt, in addition to Blue Line trains running every 16 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Arlington Cemetery.
• Rush Hour Promise will not be in effect for trips on the Blue, Orange or Silver lines.