Metro News Release

For immediate release: December 12, 2008

Friendship Heights Metrorail Station Reopened After Smoky Conditions

Riders Can Expect Delays of 60 Minutes on the Red Line

Red Line Metrorail riders can expect significant delays in both directions on the Red Line throughout the remainder of rush hour today, Friday, December 12, due to an earlier incident.

The Friendship Heights Metrorail station on the Red Line was temporarily closed for about 30 minutes (from 7:27 to 7:54 a.m.) due to a report of smoke and possible fire beneath a six-car Red Line train that was headed downtown. Customers exited the train with no initial reports of injuries. The incident was first reported at 6:52 a.m.

Trains are single-tracking (sharing the same track) around the incident train.

Shuttle buses are available between Tenleytown and Bethesda Metrorail stations to help customers get around the delays, however a full train can carry 1,000 passengers and a full bus can carry only 50 passengers, so there are long lines for shuttle buses as well. Shuttle buses arrived at approximately 7:30 a.m.

News release issued at 8:01 am, December 12, 2008.