Metro News Release

For immediate release: August 19, 2010

Metro to replace track switch to comply with NTSB recommendation, maintain a state of good repair

Labor Day Weekend track work will close five Red Line stations

Metro officials will replace a track switch to improve rail system safety and conduct several additional projects between the Takoma and Glenmont Metrorail stations, which will necessitate the closure of five Red Line stations throughout Labor Day Weekend, (Sept. 3-7). The track switch replacement is work that has been recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board.

In addition, track workers will focus on replacing old components to keep the rail system in a state of good repair. They will replace two old track switches at the Silver Spring Metrorail station and install 750 new track fasteners, 1,720 new crossties, 525 feet of new track, 500 new rail insulators, new heater tape, new tunnel safety lights and lay 2400 feet of new fiber optic communications cables in support of upgraded cell phone access. In addition, workers will replace up to 6400 feet of emergency fire lines and repair up to 4800 feet of water leaks in the tunnels.

The Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont Metrorail stations will be closed during the Labor Day Holiday weekend from 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 3 through 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 7. Normal service will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 5 a.m.

To help people get around the work zone, Metro will operate free shuttle buses to all stations between the Fort Totten and Glenmont Metrorail stations. Customers should build an extra 40 minutes into their travel plans if they need to pass through the work zone. Click here for the take one brochure.

This will be one of the largest maintenance projects involving station closures in Metro’s 34-year history. Officials anticipate having more than 500 employees and four contractors working during the Labor Day Holiday weekend.

By consolidating the work during the Labor Day Holiday weekend, Metro will save more than $1 million in late-night maintenance costs that would have otherwise resulted in 150 days of single-tracking.

Red Line Service

From 10 p.m., Friday, September 3, to 1 a.m., on Tuesday, September 7, all Red Line trains will operate between the Shady Grove and Fort Totten Metrorail station. The Fort Totten Metrorail station on the Red Line will remain open. (The rail system will remain open one extra hour on Monday night for a football game at FedEx Field.)

During the day, all Red Line trains will operate approximately every 6 minutes on Saturday, Sept. 4, and approximately every 7 to 8 minutes on Sunday, Sept. 5 and Monday, Sept. 6. After 9:30 p.m., on Sept. 3, 4, 5 and 6, all Red Line trains will operate approximately every 15 minutes.

Last Red Line Trains Between Fort Totten and Glenmont – Friday, September 3

The last trains will operate through the work zone prior to 10 p.m. because personnel need time to remove power from both tracks and to safely assemble maintenance crews in the designated work zones.

On Friday, Sept. 3, prior to closure of the Red Line between the Fort Totten and Glenmont Metrorail stations, the last Glenmont bound Red Line train through the work area will depart Shady Grove at 8:58 p.m., Fort Totten at 9:47 p.m., Takoma at 9:50 p.m., Silver Spring at 9:53 p.m., Forest Glen at 9:56 p.m., Wheaton at 9:59 p.m. and arrive at the Glenmont Metrorail station at 10:01 p.m. The last Shady Grove bound Red Line train through the work area will depart the Glenmont Metrorail station at 9:35 p.m., Wheaton at 9:38 p.m., Forest Glen at 9:41 p.m., Silver Spring at 9:44 p.m., Takoma at 9:47 p.m., Fort Totten at 9:49 p.m., and arrive at the Shady Grove Metrorail station at 10:38 p.m.

Last Red Line Train Departures from Fort Totten

In order for Shady Grove bound Red Line trains to make their final connections for the Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green lines, the last train will depart the Fort Totten Metrorail station at 2:51 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 3 (early Saturday morning) and Saturday, Sept. 4 (early Sunday morning), 11:51 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 5 and 12:51 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Labor Day Weekend Shuttle Bus Service

From 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 3, until 1 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 7, Metro will operate the following free shuttle buses between these locations:

• Green Shuttle: Glenmont Metrorail station to and from the Georgia Ave-Petworth Metrorail station with stops at the Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring Metrorail stations.
• Yellow Shuttle: Silver Spring Metrorail station to and from the Fort Totten Metrorail station with a stop at the Takoma Metrorail station.
• Red Shuttle: Glenmont Metrorail station to and from the Fort Totten Metrorail station with stops at the Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma Metrorail stations.

The weekend's free shuttle buses will operate continuously in coordination with Red Line service.

Available Existing Bus Service Labor Day Weekend

Riders who prefer to avoid the track work can use one of the following Metrobus or Ride-On lines to connect to the western end of the Red Line during the Labor Day Holiday weekend:

Traveling Between	Alternative Route
Glenmont – White Flint	Metrobus C8 (Saturday only)
Glenmont – Twinbrook	Ride On 10
Wheaton – Twinbrook	Metrobus C4
Wheaton – Medical Center	Ride On 34
Wheaton – Rockville/Shady Grove	Metrobus Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q6
Wheaton – White Flint	Ride On 38
Silver Spring – Rockville/Shady Grove	Metrobus Q1, Q2, Q4
Silver Spring – Bethesda/Medical Center	Metrobus J2
Silver Spring – Rockville	Metrobus Q4

Rider Tips for Labor Day Weekend

Customers who normally use the eastern end of the Red Line between the Glenmont and Fort Totten Metrorail stations should consider using the western end of the Red Line to get to downtown Washington or taking Metrobus or Ride-On buses that connect from the eastern to the western end of the Red Line. Parking at Metro facilities will be free throughout the Labor Day Holiday Weekend.

On Monday, Sept. 6, the Metrorail system will close one hour later than usual to support fans attending the Virginia Tech vs. Boise State University football game at FedEx Field. The rail system will close at 1 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 7. The last train departing the Largo Town Center Metrorail station will be at 12:24 a.m., and Morgan Boulevard at 12:27 a.m., after the game.

Customer Assistance

From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 4, to Monday, Sept. 6, Metro administrative employees will be available at the Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring, Takoma and Georgia Ave-Petworth Metrorail stations to help customers navigate around the track work.

To alert customers about this work, Metro will issue e-Alerts, post signs in key stations, place notices on station kiosks, and make train and system announcements.  Additional information will be available on Metro=s web site at www.metroopensdoors.com.

The Trip Planner, located on Metro's Web site, will not reflect the impact of this work on its schedules. Customers should allow more time for their trips because of this work. For more information on traveling by Metrobus or Metrorail, customers may call (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780.

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News release issued at 11:01 am, August 19, 2010.