Metro News Release

For immediate release: September 2, 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 Lines 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 tunnel safety lights and repair up to 4800 feet of water leaks in the tunnels. To help ensure fire-safe conditions, Metro will also replace 6,400 feet of emergency fire lines along the tracks. To support upgraded cell phone access in the Metrorail system, 2,400 feet of new fiber optic communications cables will be installed. The improved cell phone access is a Congressional mandate and serves as an added customer convenience as well as a safety enhancement. New heater tape will be installed along the outdoor tracks to help improve rail conditions during times of the year when ice and snow is expected. Heater tape helps ensure that there is less of a build-up of ice or snow on the tracks during inclement winter conditions and helps maintain rail service during such storms.

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. Service will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 5 a.m., although speed restrictions will be in place through the work zone.

To help people get around the work area, Metro will operate free shuttle buses 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. 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. Officials anticipate having more than 500 employees and four contractors working during the Labor Day Holiday weekend.

Red Line Service

From 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 3, to 1 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 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, Sept. 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 assemble maintenance crews safely 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 Saturday, Sept. 4 (late Friday evening) and Sunday, Sept. 5 (late Saturday evening), 11:49 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 5 and 12:49 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 7 (after Monday night’s football game).

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: The Green shuttle will serve the Glenmont Metrorail station to and from the Georgia Ave-Petworth Metrorail station with stops at the Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring Metrorail stations. This shuttle bus will depart from the Glenmont Metrorail station (from bus bay E) and serve the Wheaton Metrorail station (northbound buses use bus bay E, southbound buses use bus bay A). At the Forest Glen Metrorail station, the Green shuttle will stop at the corner of Georgia Ave at Forest Glen Rd. At the Silver Spring Metrorail station, the Green shuttle will serve riders along Dixon Ave. Northbound buses use Stop Q and southbound buses use Stop M. At the Georgia Ave-Petworth Metrorail station, the Green shuttle will serve riders on the west side of Georgia Ave., north of New Hampshire Ave. at Stop B or the east side of Georgia Ave., north of New Hampshire Ave.
• Yellow Shuttle: The Yellow shuttle will Silver Spring Metrorail station to and from the Fort Totten Metrorail station with a stop at the Takoma Metrorail station. This shuttle will depart from the Silver Spring Metrorail station at Dixon Ave., Stop M, and serve the Takoma Metrorail station (northbound buses use bus bay F; southbound buses use bus bay E). The Yellow shuttle will serve the Fort Totten Metrorail station at bus bay D.
• Red Shuttle: The Red shuttle will serve the Glenmont Metrorail station to and from the Fort Totten Metrorail station with service at the Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma Metrorail stations. This Red shuttle will depart from the Glenmont Metrorail station (bus bay E) and serve the Wheaton Metrorail station (northbound buses use bus bay E and southbound buses use bus bay A. The Red shuttle will serve the Forest Glen Metrorail station (northbound buses use bus bay C and southbound buses use bus bay D or Georgia Ave. at Forest Glen Rd. At the Silver Spring Metrorail station, the Red shuttle stops will be at Dixon Ave., where northbound buses use Stop Q and southbound buses use Stop M. At the Takoma Metrorail station, the Red shuttle stops will have northbound buses use bus bay F and southbound buses use bus bay E. The Fort Totten Metrorail station Red shuttle will operate from bus bay C.

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

Last Metrobus Shuttle Bus Departure Times

In order for Metrorail riders to make their final connections to Red Line trains at the Fort Totten Metrorail station and Yellow and Green Line trains at the Georgia Ave-Petworth Metrorail station, the last shuttle buses of the night will depart from the following locations and times:

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:

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 toward 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 http://www.wmata.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 1:22 pm, September 2, 2010.