Metro News Release

For immediate release: September 12, 2008

Orange and Blue Line Service Resumes After Suspicious Package Cleared

Orange and Blue Line riders will experience residual delays throughout the remainder of rush hour this morning after a suspicious package near elevated tracks caused service to be suspended from 5 to 7 a.m. on the Orange and Blue Lines earlier today. Riders can expect delays to run up to 30 minutes.

A suspicious package along Benning Road halted Metrorail train service between Benning Road and Stadium-Armory Metrorail stations on the Blue Line and between Minnesota Avenue and Stadium-Armory Metrorail stations on the Orange Line as DC and Metro Transit Police investigated. Nothing harmful was found.

No Blue or Orange Line trains were able to head inbound from Maryland on the eastern end of the rail system and no Blue or Orange Line trains were able to get past Stadium-Armory headed outbound toward Maryland until just before 7 a.m.

Free shuttle buses were available at Stadium-Armory, Minnesota Ave and Benning Road Metrorail stations to help move people around the incident.

Even though the incident took place on the eastern end of the Orange and Blue Lines, it is likely to continue to impact service all along both lines because trains were forced to turn back in areas that they do not normally turn and trains were not in their customary strategic locations to move riders efficiently.

News release issued at 7:05 am, September 12, 2008.