Metro News Release
For immediate release: February 20, 2011
Metro's Presidents Day Holiday Weekend track work on schedule
Federal Triangle and Smithsonian Metrorail stations to reopen Tuesday
The replacement of four rail switches at the Smithsonian Metrorail station and several maintenance projects on the Blue and Orange lines that has resulted in the closure of the Federal Triangle and Smithsonian Metrorail stations and trains sharing one track at two locations on the Red Line is progressing on schedule. The Federal Triangle and Smithsonian Metrorail stations are expected to reopen on time on Tuesday, Feb.22.
During the Presidents Day Holiday Weekend, Metro is replacing four track switches, which comprise the entire rail interlocking at the Smithsonian Metrorail station, which was a National Transportation Safety Board recommendation to improve the safety of the rail system. Metro also is repairing tunnel leaks, escalators and elevators, and making other safety improvements on the Red Line.
Free shuttle buses have been busy throughout the weekend with buses filling up as trains empty at the Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail stations. Through Saturday, Feb. 19, 21,661 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 rail platforms to the shuttle buses and answering questions. Customers are reminded to follow guidance from Metro employees and use the crosswalks to get to shuttle buses near the Metrorail stations safely.
Presidents Day Monday Metrorail Service
The Metrorail system will open at 5 a.m., on Monday, Feb. 21, Presidents Day.
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.
All Blue and Orange Line trains will operate every 12 to 15 minutes during the daytime, and every 20 minutes at night.
Red Line trains will share one track in two locations. Trains will share one track between the Shady Grove and Twinbrook Metrorail stations as construction workers make repairs to the Rockville Metrorail station platform, and trains will share one track between the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood and New York Avenue-Florida Avenue-Gallaudet U Metrorail stations as the agency makes repairs to the aerial structure near the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metrorail station.
Red Line trains will depart approximately every 15 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 7 to 8 minutes between the Grosvenor-Strathmore and New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U Metrorail stations.
All Yellow and Green Line trains will operate every 15 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes at night.
Presidents Day Monday Shuttle Bus Service
Metro’s free shuttle bus service on the Blue and Orange lines also will begin at 5 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 21, and will continue until the system closes.
Shuttle bus lines and waits for buses are expected to be long due to downtown traffic patterns. Customers should be aware that buses will serve riders along the streets as there are no bus bays at the affected stations. Free shuttle buses will operate to meet each train, approximately every 12 to 15 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes after 9:30 p.m.
Metro will operate free shuttle buses between the Metro Center (12th St., north of G St.), Federal Triangle (12th St. South of Pa. Ave.), Smithsonian (Independence Ave & 12th St.), and L’Enfant Plaza (Maryland Ave.) Metrorail stations.
Last Trains to Depart 20 Minutes Earlier Than Usual Monday
For all trains to make their final connections for the last shuttle buses at the Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail stations, the last passenger train on each rail line will depart each terminal station 20 minutes earlier than usual on Monday. Metro advises late night riders to arrive at their station 20 to 30 minutes earlier than usual to catch the last train of the evening.
LINE SUN/MON
Red
Shady Grove 11:10 p.m.
Glenmont 11:17 p.m.
Blue
Franconia-Springfield 11:09 p.m.
Largo Town Center 11:04 p.m.
Orange
Vienna 11:05 p.m.
New Carrollton 11:16 p.m.
Green
Branch Ave. 11:04 p.m.
Greenbelt 11:10 p.m.
Yellow
Huntington 11:14 p.m.
Fort Totten 11:22 p.m.
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.
News release issued at 9:35 am, February 20, 2011.