Metro News Release
For immediate release: February 5, 2010
Metrorail to halt above-ground service at 11 p.m.--40 stations to close; Metrobus service also to stop at 9 p.m. Friday
No above ground rail service, Metrobus or MetroAccess service on Saturday, Feb. 6
Metrorail trains will stop serving above-ground stations at 11 p.m. tonight, Friday, Feb. 5, due to heavy snowfall that will soon cover the electrified third rail, which is situated eight inches above the ground. The third rail must be clear of snow and ice because it is the source of electricity that powers the trains. Metro officials believe that by 11 p.m. the exposed third rail will be covered by snow. All Metrobus service will stop at 9 p.m. because roadways are quickly becoming impassable.
Metro has 86 stations and 106-miles of track. Forty-six stations along 50.5 miles of track are located underground and 40 stations along 55.5 miles of track are above ground. All 40 above-ground stations will close at 11 p.m., tonight, Friday, Feb. 5. The modified, 30-minute underground service will operate as follows:
Yellow Line – Pentagon to Crystal City
Red Line – Medical Center to Union Station and Glenmont to Forest Glen
Orange Line – Ballston to Stadium-Armory
Green Line – Fort Totten to Congress Heights
Blue Line – Ballston to Stadium-Armory
“We have been monitoring the snowfall throughout the entire day,” said Metro Acting Deputy General Manager Dave Kubicek. “We ran trains to keep the tracks clear of snow and ice, but we are fast-reaching the point where we risk trains becoming stranded on snow-covered tracks. To prevent that from happening, we will cease above-ground operations at 11 p.m.”
“The forecast calls for almost two feet of snow, and we cannot and will not operate in an unsafe environment,” Kubicek said. “Our first responsibility is for the safety of our customers and employees.”
Once trains are shifted to underground travel, some maintenance trains without passengers in them will travel on the exposed tracks to try to keep the snow and ice clear of the tracks. These deicer trains will aid in the return of service because once the snow stops falling, it will be easier to resume above-ground service if snow has been cleared a few times.
The underground Metrorail stations will remain open until 3 a.m., the normal closing time for a Friday night. Underground service will continue to operate at 30-minute intervals all-day on Saturday, Feb. 6, opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 3 a.m.
Rail customers are encouraged to use station elevators from the street level into and out of the stations as they are safer than escalators in this type of heavy snowfall.
All Metrobus service will halt at 9 p.m. as vehicles will not able to drive on snow-covered roads. Metrobus service will not operate on Saturday, Feb. 6.
MetroAccess began the process of canceling all inbound trips at 10:30 a.m., in anticipation of the winter weather. All MetroAccess operations were completed by 7 p.m. this evening. MetroAccess service will not be available on Saturday, Feb. 6.
Metro has 2,200 tons of bulk rock salt to treat Metro roadways and parking lots and 18,000, 50-pound bags of de-icer for treating sidewalks and platforms. Hundreds of snow-trained employees and contractors will be working throughout the night and into this weekend to treat snowy and icy surfaces at Metrorail stations including platforms, sidewalks and parking facilities.
Metro also is using “heater tape,” which has been installed on sections of track with significant grades/inclines and in critical areas in the rail yards. The heater tape is a cable clipped onto the electrified third rail that is turned on when temperatures dip below the freezing mark. It helps keep the third rail warm enough to prevent ice from forming.
How to get Updates on Winter Weather Conditions
There are a variety of ways for customers to stay informed during a major storm. Metro constantly updates local news media of Metro service changes. Information is also available on Metro’s home page at www.metroopensdoors.com. Customers can also subscribe to e-Alerts and receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess.
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News release issued at 8:41 pm, February 5, 2010.