Metro News Release
For immediate release: February 22, 2011
Metrorail improvements planned for the weekend of March 4 to 6
Orange/Blue Line closed from Stadium-Armory to New Carrollton and Benning Road; Customers should check metroopensdoors.com for service details
Metrorail will conduct significant safety and reliability work on the Blue, Orange and Red lines to comply with National Transportation Safety Board recommendations during the weekend of March 4 to 6, causing some temporary service changes for customers that will mean a safer, smoother ride once the work is complete.
On the Orange Line, there will be no train service between the Stadium-Armory and New Carrollton Metrorail stations and the five stations between – Minnesota Ave, Deanwood, Cheverly, Landover and New Carrollton Metrorail stations will be closed from 10 p.m., Friday, March 4, to closing on Sunday, March 6.
Also, there will be no Blue Line service between the Stadium-Armory and Benning Road Metrorail stations during the same time frame. The Benning Road Metrorail station will remain open. Normal service will resume on Monday, March 7.
During the weekend, Metro will continue repairs on the aerial structure outside the Cheverly Metrorail station, make train control upgrades outside the Stadium-Armory Metrorail station, install 6,000 feet of cellular communication cables to ultimately improve cell phone coverage, replace 2,000 feet of track, 380 insulators, 1,400 rail ties and 400 track fasteners.
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.
To alert customers about this work, Metro will send e-Alerts, post signs in key stations, place notices on station kiosks, advertise in local papers and make train and system announcements. Additional information will be available on Metro=s web site at www.metroopensdoors.com.
During the weekend, extra Metro employees will be available at the Stadium-Armory, Benning Road, Minnesota Ave, Deanwood, Cheverly, Landover and New Carrollton Metrorail stations to help customers navigate around the weekend closure using the free shuttle bus service.
March 4-6 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.
March 4-6 Weekend Shuttle Bus Service
From 10 p.m., Friday, March 4, to closing (midnight) on Sunday, March 6, 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 using 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 using this express shuttle should add 30 minutes to their trips.
• Orange Line Local Shuttle: Stadium-Armory to 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.
March 4 -6 Weekend Red Line Service
From 10 p.m., Friday, March 4 to closing on Sunday, March 6, Red Line, trains will share one track between the Friendship Heights and Medical Center as personnel replace fasteners that support the tracks. Customers traveling between these stations should add 20 minutes to their travel times. Red Line trains will also share one track between the Takoma and Forest Glen Metrorail stations as personnel make upgrades to the train control rooms. Customers traveling between these stations should also add 20 minutes to their travel times.
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 www.metroopensdoors.com.
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News release issued at 11:05 am, February 22, 2011.