Metro News Release
For immediate release: March 5, 2008
Metro continues major Red Line weekend switch replacement work at the Van Ness-UDC Metrorail station
Metrorail riders should build at least 30 minutes of travel time into their schedule this weekend while riding the Red Line as Metro conducts vital track work.
As part of its infrastructure renewal program to ensure safe and reliable service, Metro will undertake a major track rehabilitation project at the Van Ness-UDC Metrorail station that will impact travel times. To minimize customer inconvenience, the project was scheduled during the weekends, when ridership is lighter. Customers should build significantly more time into their schedules while riding the Red Line.
Van Ness-UDC switch replacement schedule
O Friday, March 7, 9 p.m., to Sunday, March 9, midnight.
O Friday, March 14, 9 p.m., to Sunday, March 16, midnight.
Over the next two weekends, Metro will replace the switch at the Van Ness-UDC Metrorail station. A switch or “interlocking” is an intersection in the track, where trains can “switch” from one track to another, depending on their destination and route.
Red Line weekend service pattern
O Red Line trains will operate between the Shady Grove and Glenmont Metrorail stations, however, trains will share one track between the Dupont Circle and Friendship Heights Metrorail stations.
O Red Line trains will run every 15 minutes between the Shady Grove and Friendship Heights Metrorail stations.
O Red Line trains will run every 15 minutes between the Glenmont and Farragut North Metrorail stations.
O Red Line trains will run every 30 minutes between the Dupont Circle and Friendship Heights Metrorail stations, while sharing one track.
O Every other Red Line train traveling to the Shady Grove Metrorail station will terminate at the Farragut North Metrorail station and return to the Glenmont Metrorail station.
O Every other Red Line train traveling to the Glenmont Metrorail station will terminate at the Friendship Heights Metrorail station and return to the Shady Grove Metrorail station.
O All Red Line trains will operate with six and eight cars.
Travel options to bypass track maintenance
Metro provides these travel options for Red Line riders who wish to avoid the delays.
O The L2 Metrobus route provides service from Chevy Chase Circle to the Van Ness-UDC, Cleveland Park, Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan, Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metrorail stations with a final stop at the McPherson Square Metrorail station. On weekends, the L2 operates every 20 to 30 minutes. On Friday and Saturday nights, the last buses leave their respective destinations shortly after midnight. Please consult www.metroopensdoors.com or call (202) 637-7000 for schedule information.
O The 32, 34, 35 and 36 Metrobus routes provide service from the Friendship Heights and Tenleytown Metrorail stations into downtown Washington via Wisconsin and Pennsylvania Avenues. On weekends, the bus routes run every 10 to 15 minutes. Please consult www.metroopensdoors.com or call (202) 637-7000 for schedule information.
Verizon Center events
Over the next two weekends, the Washington Capitals, Washington Wizards, Georgetown Hoyas and Harlem Globetrotters will host events at the Verizon Center. People attending these events should build significantly more time into their schedules if riding or connecting to the Red Line as there will be longer waits for trains before and after each event.
To alert customers about this work, station and train announcements will be made throughout the Metrorail system. Additional information will be available on Metro’s Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com.
The Trip Planner, located on Metro’s Web site, will not reflect the impact of this work on its schedules. Customers should allow more time for their trips because of this work. For more information on traveling by Metrobus or Metrorail, customers may call (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780.
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News release issued at 12:38 pm, March 5, 2008.