Metro News Release
For immediate release: February 1, 2011
Metrorail improvements planned for Presidents Day Weekend
Federal Triangle and Smithsonian closed Presidents Day Weekend; Customers advised to check metroopensdoors.com for important service changes before traveling
Metrorail will conduct significant safety and reliability work on the Blue, Orange and Red rail lines to comply with National Transportation Safety Board recommendations during the Presidents Day Holiday Weekend, causing some temporary service changes for customers that will mean a safer, smoother ride once the work is complete.
On the Blue and Orange Lines, there will be no train service between the Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail stations, and the two stations between -- Federal Triangle and Smithsonian Metrorail stations -- will be closed during the Presidents Day Holiday Weekend from 10 p.m., Friday, Feb. 18, to closing on Monday, Feb. 21. During that time, the agency will undertake work to replace four track switches at the Smithsonian Metrorail station.
To help riders get through the work zone, Metro will operate free shuttle buses between the Metro Center (11th & G St.), Federal Triangle (12th St. South of Pa. Ave.), Smithsonian (Independence Ave & 12th St.), and L’Enfant Plaza (Maryland Ave.) Metrorail stations. Customers should build an extra 40 minutes into their travel plans if they need to pass through the work zone. Waits for shuttle buses could be long on Monday, Feb 21, due to downtown traffic patterns. Customers are also advised to dress in warm layers to wait for shuttle buses.
During the weekend, extra Metro employees will be available at the Metro Center, Federal Triangle, L’Enfant Plaza and Smithsonian Metrorail stations to help customers navigate around the weekend closure using free bus shuttle service. Customers should add an extra 40 minutes to travel through the impacted area.
During the same time on the Red Line, trains will share one track between the Shady Grove and Twinbrook Metrorail stations from 10 p.m. Feb 18, to closing on Feb. 21 as construction workers make repairs to the Rockville Metrorail station platform. Riders traveling between these stations should add 20 minutes to their travel times. Red Line trains will also share one track between the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood and New York Avenue-Florida Avenue-Gallaudet U Metrorail stations from 10 p.m. Feb. 18, to closing on Feb. 21.
Weekend Blue and Orange Line Service
From 10 p.m., Friday, Feb 18 to closing on Monday, Feb. 21, the Blue and Orange lines will be split in two sections. The Blue Line will operate between the Franconia-Springfield and Metro Center Metrorail stations and between the Largo Town Center and L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail stations. The Orange Line will operate between the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU and Metro Center Metrorail stations and between the New Carrollton and L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail stations.
Weekend Red Line Service
From Feb. 19 to 21, Red Line trains will depart approximately every 20 minutes from the Shady Grove and Glenmont Metrorail stations. From 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., more frequent service will be offered on the Red Line and will operate approximately every 10 minutes between the Grosvenor-Strathmore and New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U Metrorail stations.
To alert customers about this work, Metro will send e-Alerts, post signs in key stations, place notices on station kiosks, take out paid advertisements 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 2:57 pm, February 1, 2011.