Major Metro Shutdown Is Coming To NoVa, DC

Metro customers who commute between D.C. and Northern Virginia via the Yellow Line are in for some major headaches in the coming weeks, as Metro is planning a two-week shutdown of the Yellow Line Bridge.

Starting Monday, Nov. 26 and lasting through Sunday, Dec. 9, Metro will begin a 14-day capital improvement project that will result in the total shutdown of the Yellow Line Bridge over the Potomac River.

The project was announced back in February and will be the fourth and final major capital improvement project of 2018, WMATA said in a statement.

Crews will make structural repairs and infrastructure upgrades on the bridge.

If you regularly use the Yellow Line to cross the Potomac River, you're going to have to switch to the long detour of the Blue Line instead.

"Due to the heavy construction activity and limited space available on the bridge span, both tracks must be out of service for safety reasons," the statement reads. "This approach also allows crews to complete the work faster, working around the clock to pour new concrete grout pads, replace fasteners, cables and other components."

Metro will offer free shuttle bus service for Blue Line customers. Expect Blue Line trains to be very crowded, WMATA warns.

"Metro will operate Blue Line trains between Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center every 16 minutes and between Huntington and Largo Town Center every 16 minutes," the statement adds. "Because this represents a 50 percent reduction in capacity, crowding is possible, and customers are encouraged to allow additional travel time."

Continued major capital improvement projects in the Metro system long after the end of "SafeTrack" has resulted in constant public complaints about WMATA's handling of the system. Critics argue that the system does not appear to be becoming more reliable despite the investments, while WMATA says it needs more funding and time.

(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)