Metro News Release
For immediate release: April 21, 2011
Weekend renovation to improve reliability, service on Blue and Red Lines
Upgrades to improve efficiency, performance
This weekend (April 22-24) Metro will continue its efforts to rebuild the Metrorail system by upgrading its track and infrastructure systems. As a result of this critical work, trains on the Red and Blue lines will single-track from 10 p.m., Friday, April 22 to closing on Sunday, April 24. When the work is complete, it will mean riders will have a safer, smoother ride.
Blue Line Service
From 10 p.m., Friday, April 22 to closing on Sunday, April 24, Metro will replace rail switches at the Van Dorn Street Metrorail station. This work is to comply with a National Transportation Safety Board recommendation.
Throughout the weekend, all Blue Line trains will operate between the Largo Town Center and Huntington Metrorail stations. Blue Line trains will operate approximately every 15 minutes during the day and 20 minutes at night.
Additionally, Metro will operate a special Blue Line shuttle train between the Franconia-Springfield and King Street Metrorail stations. This shuttle train will operate approximately every 30 minutes and utilize one track between the Franconia-Springfield and King Street Metrorail stations.
From 10 p.m., Friday, April 22, to closing on Sunday, April 24, Blue Line trains will share one track between the Stadium-Armory and Addison Road-Seat Pleasant Metrorail stations as personnel make repairs to the floating slabs underneath the rails in that area to provide a smoother ride.
Red Line Service
From 10 p.m. Friday, April 22, to closing on Sunday, April 24, Red Line trains will share one track between the Grosvenor-Strathmore and Twinbrook Metrorail stations as personnel repair the platform at the White Flint Metrorail station. Red Line trains also will share one track between the New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U and Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metrorail stations as personnel make upgrades to the aerial structure outside the Rhode Island Avenue-Brentwood Metrorail station.
Throughout the weekend, Red Line trains operating between the Shady Grove and Glenmont Metrorail stations will operate approximately every 16 minutes. From 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, and Sunday, April 24, more frequent service will be offered on the Red Line with trains operating approximately every eight minutes between the Grosvenor-Strathmore and Silver Spring Metrorail stations.
Metro has a six-year, $5 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that is focused on safety and maintaining the Metro system in a state of good repair. In FY2012, the CIP includes projects such as replacing escalators; retrofitting track; replacing track circuitry, signs and chain markers on the right of way; rehabilitating third rail, running rail and track pads; rehabilitating 12 Metrorail stations; purchasing 150 new police radios; the replacement of 100 Metrobuses and the rehabilitation of 100 more; rehabilitating three bus garages; and installing 30 track turnouts.
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 9:40 am, April 21, 2011.