Metro News Release
For immediate release: October 27, 2010
Metro to conduct repairs at Cheverly and replace track circuits to comply with NTSB recommendation, maintain a state of good repair
Nov. 5-7 maintenance work will close Orange Line from Stadium-Armory to New Carrollton, Blue Line also closed between Stadium-Armory and Benning Road
Metro will close five stations on the eastern end of the Orange Line between the Stadium-Armory and New Carrollton Metrorail stations and there will be no Blue Line service between the Stadium-Armory and Benning Road Metrorail stations from 10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 5, to closing on Sunday, Nov, 7, as the agency undertakes a major rehabilitation and rebuilding project to improve safety, comply with a safety recommendation made by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), maintain service reliability and return the area to a state of good repair. Normal service will resume on Monday, Nov. 8.
The Minnesota Ave, Deanwood, Cheverly, Landover and New Carrollton Metrorail stations will be closed and no Blue Line trains will operate between the Stadium-Armory and Benning Road Metrorail stations. The Benning Road Metrorail station will remain open.
To help riders get through the work zone, Metro will operate free shuttle buses around the station closures. Customers should build an extra 40 minutes into their travel plans if they need to pass through the work zone.
During the weekend, Metro will make preliminary repairs to the stabilize the ground, the abutment and aerial structure outside the Cheverly Metrorail station because a developer performed work on land adjacent to Metro property that shifted the land and caused movement of Metro’s aerial structure. Metro officials will also install new track circuits outside the Stadium-Armory Metrorail station, to comply with an NTSB safety recommendation. In addition, Metro will replace 4,290 feet of track, 680 insulators, 2,418 rail ties, 650 track fasteners, two track switches at the New Carrollton Metrorail station and conduct platform repairs at the Minnesota Avenue Metrorail station to maximize the amount of work to be done while there are no trains in the area.
To inform customers about the track work, signs and banners are being posted at key locations; advertisements placed; messages posted on platform display signs; and a brochure produced. Leading up to and during the course of the weekend, customers will hear system-wide rail station and train operator announcements and receive e-mail and Twitter alerts. Thirty-four Metro employees will work 68 shifts to assist customers during the weekend.
Nov. 5- 7 Weekend Blue and Orange Line Metrorail Service
The Orange Line will operate only between the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU and Stadium-Armory Metrorail station. The Blue Line will be split in two sections throughout the weekend. Blue Line trains will operate between the Franconia-Springfield and Stadium-Armory Metrorail stations and between the Largo Town Center and Benning Road Metrorail stations.
During the day on Nov. 6 and 7, all Orange Line trains will operate approximately every 12 to 15 minutes. After 9:30 p.m., on Nov. 5, 6 and 7, all Orange Line trains will operate approximately every 20 minutes. After 10 p.m. on Nov. 5. and all day on Nov. 6 and 7, all Blue Line trains will operate approximately every 30 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Stadium-Armory and between the Largo Town Center and Benning Road Metrorail stations. Blue Line trains will operate every 30 minutes between these locations because additional track maintenance will require Blue and Yellow Line trains to share one track between the Braddock Road and Pentagon City Metrorail stations on Nov. 6 and 7.
Nov. 5 - 7 Weekend Shuttle Bus Service
From 10 p.m., Friday, Nov. 5, to closing (midnight) on Sunday, Nov. 7, Metro will operate three free shuttle bus routes between the affected stations. The weekend’s free shuttle buses will operate to meet each train.
Blue Line Shuttle: Stadium-Armory to Benning Road
This bus shuttle will operate between the Stadium-Armory and Benning Road Metrorail stations. Customers catching this shuttle bus should add 15 to 20 minutes to their trips.
Orange Line Express Shuttle: Stadium-Armory to New Carrollton
This express shuttle bus will operate between the Stadium-Armory and New Carrollton Metrorail stations with no stops in between. Customers catching this express shuttle should add 30 minutes to their trips.
Orange Line Local Shuttle: Stadium-Armory to Minnesota Avenue, Deanwood, Cheverly, Landover and New Carrollton
This local shuttle bus will operate between the Stadium-Armory and New Carrollton Metrorail stations and will stop at the Minnesota Avenue, Deanwood, Cheverly, Landover and New Carrollton Metrorail stations. Customers catching this local shuttle should add 40 minutes to their trips.
Additional Weekend Events
Throughout the weekend, there will be several events throughout the region that may impact Metrorail riders. The Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards have games at the Verizon Center from Friday through Sunday. On Saturday, Nov. 6, there is a special event at Nationals Park. Metro reminds customers riding or connecting to the Blue and Orange lines who will be attending these events to add at least 40 minutes into their travel time.
The Trip Planner on Metro’s Web site will not reflect the impact of this work on its schedules. For more information on traveling by Metrobus or Metrorail, customers may call (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780, or visit metroopensdoors.com.
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News release issued at 3:06 pm, October 27, 2010.