Metro Surges Will Cause Big Problems Soon for Reston Commuters

Metro Silver Line riders in Reston can finally rest easy this week for the first time since SafeTrack started, as it's the Blue and Yellow lines' turn to get hammered by the latest "Surge." But the reprieve won't last for very long.

The Falls Church area is going to be getting a ton of work for the remainder of SafeTrack, and Surge 5 will be causing massive delays on the Orange and Silver lines starting July 20 and running through July 31.

During Surge 5, there will be continuous single-tracking from East Falls Church to Ballston on both lines. Orange Line trains between Vienna and Ballston will operate every 18 minutes, and all Silver Line trains will operate every 18 minutes (and 20 minutes after 10 p.m.). So if you commute from Reston, it's going to be a long wait.

"Orange and Silver line trains may be very crowded, especially during rush hour due to severe service reduction," Metro says in a statement. "Metro riders who have the ability to do so should consider alternate travel options and avoid traveling during rush hour if possible."

After this surge ends, the Orange Line will go through single-tracking again from Vienna through West Falls Church on Sept. 9, and that will last for nearly a month and a half until Oct. 20. That will mean delays for the Silver Line for weeks on end.

Surge 11 runs from Nov. 3-11, and will result in continuous single-tracking on the Orange and Silver lines between East Falls Church and West Falls Church.

The final Surge will take place from March 6-19 and will result in single-tracking on the Orange and Silver lines between East Falls Church and West Falls Church.

Metro's Safetrack plan is a year-long effort to fix chronic fire and smoke problems throughout the Metro system, which resulted in the death of a woman at L'Enfant Plaza last year.