Major Delays Coming For Reston Metro Riders

RESTON, VA -- If you need to take the Silver Line into town next month, you'd better schedule some extra time for your commute.

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.

But it's the second project that will have the biggest ramifications for Silver Line riders. Beginning Saturday, Aug. 11 and continuing 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 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.