Metro News Release

For immediate release: July 15, 2009

Takoma Metrorail station to close midday Thursday and most of Saturday

NTSB investigation testing requires temporary shutdown

The Takoma Metrorail station on the Red Line will close from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 18, as the National Transportation Safety Board continues its investigation of last month’s collision near the Fort Totten Metrorail station.

Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board informed Metro officials this afternoon that they will conduct tests on the tracks between the Takoma and Ft. Totten Metrorail stations Thursday (July 16) and Saturday (July 18). The site distance testing will require Metrorail to suspend rail service between the two stations.

While the Takoma Metrorail station is closed, the Red Line will be divided into two segments, with trains running between the Glenmont and Silver Spring Metrorail stations, and between the Fort Totten and Shady Grove Metrorail stations. Shuttle buses will take riders around the accident investigation work, and make stops at the Fort Totten, Takoma and Silver Spring Metrorail stations.

Metro riders are reminded that all trains on all color lines will be pulling to the front end of all platforms, so riders should check the passenger display signs located both on the platform and at the mezzanine level to determine where they should stand as they wait to board a train. Eight-car trains will fill the entire platform. However, customers will notice that when six-car trains pull into a station that there will be platform space behind the train, so when the signs indicate that a six-car train is pulling into a station, customers should walk toward the center or front of the platform for easier boarding.

Media contact for this news release: Cathy Asato or Candace Smith at 202-962-1051.
For all other inquiries, please call customer service at 202-637-7000.

News release issued at 5:46 pm, July 15, 2009.