Metro Surge 10 is Coming to the DC Red Line, and it's Going to be Ugly

WASHINGTON, DC — Think Metro's "Surges" have been a pain so far? You ain't seen nothin' yet -- this next Surge on the Red Line could be the worst yet for Metro commuters.

That's because Surge No. 10, starting Oct. 29 and ending Nov. 22, will result in the complete shutdown of the Red Line between NoMa-Gallaudet U and Fort Totten, with the Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland stations closing entirely for nearly a month, according to a WMATA statement.

Metro is in the midst of a year-long SafeTrack plan that involves making repairs to "improve the safety and reliability of the system," WMATA says. That plan includes 15 "Surges," which at first were just two-week single-tracking episodes, but have gradually evolved into much longer periods with full line segment and station shutdowns.

Surge No. 10 will result in Red Line trains operating in two segments: from Shady Grove to NoMa Gallaudet U, and from Glenmont to Fort Totten.

And if you're stuck taking the train after 9 p.m., it gets worse: Red Line trains will run every 15 minutes then, and the last Fort Totten-bound Red Line train will depart Glenmont at 11:02 p.m.

If you need to get to downtown stations like Gallery Place, it's probably best to get on the Green Line at Fort Totten -- or find an alternative form of transportation altogether.

If you do manage to get on a train, be aware that it will be extremely crowded and delayed.

Image via WMATA