Metro News Release
For immediate release: November 30, 2010
Metro sets December weeknight track maintenance schedule
Customers should add 20 to 30 minutes for weeknight travel while Metro works to maintain a state of good repair on the rails
On most weeknights and select weekdays in December, Metro employees will weld new rail on the tracks, replace fasteners, repair concrete slabs underneath the rails, repair station platforms, install communications cables, make track circuit upgrades, and conduct rail switch work in an effort to maintain the rail system in a state of good repair and help ensure reliable service. Customers should add 20 to 30 minutes of additional travel time to their schedules Sunday to Thursday nights between 10 p.m. and closing on all rail lines and some weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Customers also should expect lengthy waits between trains during this timeframe.
Red Line Track Platform Repair Work Sunday through Thursday nights
Metrorail customers traveling between the Shady Grove and Twinbrook Metrorail stations should add at least 30 minutes to their travel time to allow Metro personnel to make necessary repairs to the Rockville Metrorail station’s deteriorated platform to return it to a state of good repair. Trains will share one track between these locations from 10 p.m. through closing from Nov. 30 to Dec. 2; Dec. 6 to 9; and Dec. 13 to 16. This portion of vital work on the Red Line between the Shady Grove and Twinbrook Metrorail stations is part of the Red Line rehabilitation project, which is extending the lifecycle of the platforms, track and related systems by rebuilding those areas.
Red Line Surface Repairs Monday through Thursday nights
Throughout November, Metro personnel will make repairs to the area underneath the rails at various locations on the Red Line. Customers traveling between these locations should add 30 minutes to their travel times because trains will share one track from 10 p.m. to closing between the Fort Totten and Silver Spring Metrorail stations on Dec 1, 2, 6 and 8; between the Takoma and Silver Spring Metrorail stations on Dec. 9; and between the Judiciary Square and Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metrorail stations on Dec. 13, 14 and 15; and between the New York Avenue-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U and Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metrorail stations on Dec. 16.
Red Line Track Circuit and Train Control Maintenance select weeknights
Throughout December, Metro personnel will make track circuit and train control upgrades at various locations on the Red Line. Customers traveling between these locations should add 30 minutes to their travel times because trains will share one track from 10 p.m. to closing between the Judiciary Square and Rhode Island-Brentwood Metrorail stations from Dec. 19 and 23; and again from Dec. 26 to 30.
Blue Line Concrete Slab Track Maintenance select weeknights
Metrorail customers traveling between the Stadium-Armory and Addison Road-Seat Pleasant Metrorail stations should add at least 30 minutes to their travel time to allow Metro to replace the systems that support the concrete slabs underneath the rails. This work helps maintain reliable rail service. Trains will share one track between these locations from 10 p.m. through closing on these dates: Nov. 30 to Dec. 2; Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16.
Blue and Orange Line Rail Installation – Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14
Metrorail customers traveling between the Eastern Market and Stadium-Armory Metrorail stations should add at least 30 minutes to their travel time while Metro welds new rail on the tracks. Trains will share one track from 10 p.m. to closing on Dec. 6, 7, 13 and 14.
Orange Line Communications Cable Installation – Sunday through Thursday nights
Metrorail customers traveling between the Clarendon and Ballston-MU Metrorail stations should add at least 20 minutes to their travel time while personnel installs communications cable in support of expanded cell phone coverage throughout the Metrorail system. Trains will share one track between these locations from 10 p.m. to closing from Dec. 5 to Dec. 9; and from Dec. 12 to Dec. 16.
Orange Line New Rail Installation – Dec. 20 and 21
Metrorail customers traveling between the West Falls Church-VT/UVA and East Falls Church Metrorail stations should add at least 20 minutes to their travel time while Metro welds new rail on the tracks. Trains will share one track from 10 p.m. to closing on Dec. 20 and 21.
Blue and Orange Line Rail Switch Preparation Work – Dec. 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 and 30
Metrorail customers traveling between the Arlington Cemetery and McPherson Square Metrorail stations on the Blue Line and between the Clarendon and McPherson Square Metrorail stations on the Orange Line should add at least 30 minutes to their travel time while Metro conducts work on the rail switch at the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail station in preparation for a major rail switch replacement project during the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday weekend. Trains will share one track between these locations from 10 p.m. to closing on Dec. 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 and 30.
Green Line Communications Cable Installation – Dec 1 and 2
Metrorail customers traveling between the U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo and Georgia Avenue-Petworth Metrorail stations should add at least 20 minutes to their travel time while personnel installs communications cable in support of expanded cell phone coverage throughout the Metrorail system. On Dec. 1 and 2, trains will share one track between these locations from 10 p.m. to closing.
Please note, this schedule is subject to change. Metro riders should visit www.metroopensdoors.com at the end of each month to see the following month’s schedule of work. Metro will continue to post news releases each Thursday as a reminder to provide updates about any last minute track maintenance schedule changes.
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News release issued at 4:13 pm, November 30, 2010.