Metro News Release
For immediate release: September 5, 2010
Metro's Labor Day weekend track work on schedule
Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont Metrorail stations to reopen Tuesday morning
The replacement of two rail switches at the Silver Spring Metrorail station and several maintenance projects between the Takoma and Glenmont Metrorail stations on the Red Line that has resulted in the closure five Metrorail stations during the three-day Labor Day weekend is progressing on schedule. The five stations are expected to reopen on time -- at 5 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Sept. 7.
This weekend, track workers are replacing old components to keep the rail system in a state of good repair. They are replacing two old track switches at the Silver Spring Metrorail station and installing 750 new track fasteners, 1,720 new crossties, 525 feet of new track, 500 new rail insulators, new tunnel safety lights and repairing up to 4,800 feet of water leaks in the tunnels. To help ensure fire-safe conditions, Metro is replacing 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 is being 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.
On Tuesday, Sept. 7, Red Line trains operating between the Forest Glen and Takoma Metrorail stations will travel at reduced speeds because of the maintenance work that occurred during the weekend.
The free shuttle buses have been busy throughout the weekend with buses filling up as trains empty at the Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring, Fort Totten, Takoma and Georgia Ave-Petworth Metrorail stations. Through Saturday, Sept. 4, about 15,883 people have used the shuttle buses to help complete their trips.
Metro administrative employees along with Metro Transit Police officers have been on site guiding customers from the rail platforms to the shuttle buses. They also have been busy answering questions from customers.
Labor Day Monday Service
On Monday, Sept. 6, the Metrorail system will open at 7 a.m., and close at 1 a.m. Red Line trains will operate approximately every 7 to 8 minutes during the day and every 15 minutes after 9:30 p.m. Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green Line trains will operate approximately every 12 to 15 minutes during the day and approximately every 20 minutes after 9:30 p.m.
Metro’s free shuttle bus service on the Red Line will also begin at 7 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 6, and will continue until the system closes at 1 a.m.
On Monday, Sept. 6, the Metrorail system will close one hour later than usual to support fans attending the college 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.
In addition to the college football game at FedEx Field, the Washington Nationals play at Nationals Park at 1:35 p.m., and there is a wrestling event at the Verizon Center at 8 p.m. Customers planning to attend any of these events and who 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 take 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.
News release issued at 8:30 am, September 5, 2010.