Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 27, 2006

Metro readies for additional rain

Metro is getting ready for more rain. The Transit Authority has called in extra personnel to monitor flooding conditions overnight with forecasters calling for additional rain.

Metro has placed hundreds of sandbags in low lying areas, vent shafts and grates at and near Federal Triangle, Cleveland Park, King Street, Foggy Bottom, Navy Yard, Southern Avenue and Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter stations. Metro has 12 tons of sand ready for use.

"Although we don’t anticipate flooding to disrupt service, we’re bringing in extra sump pumps for use as a precaution between Braddock Road and the Pentagon stations on the Blue and Yellow lines," Steven Feil, Metrorail’s chief operating officer. Crews also will monitor Federal Triangle, Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter, Smithsonian and Twinbrook stations for flooding.

Blue and Orange line trains continue to operate at reduced speed between Metro Center and the Federal Triangle Metrorail stations due to extensive water damage in the automatic train control room. Passengers should expect minor delays in that area until repairs are completed early next week.

Metrobus and MetroAccess vehicles continue to be impacted by flooded and/or impassable roadways, causing a few delays in areas where high water remains.

Riders can get information about delays via Metro’s Web site at www.metroopensdoors.com. They can also sign up for Metro’s email subscription service which lists disruptions, and riders can be alerted by email when a news release has been issued with a link to the text.

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News release issued on June 27, 2006.