Metro News Release
For immediate release: April 28, 2011
Metrorail improvements planned for Memorial Day Weekend
Orange/Blue Line closed from Federal Center SW to Minnesota Ave/Benning Road; Customers should seek alternate travel
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 Memorial Day Holiday Weekend (May 27 to 30) closing four stations and 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 Federal Center SW and Minnesota Ave and Benning Road Metrorail stations, and the four stations between – Capitol South, Eastern Market, Potomac Ave and Stadium-Armory Metrorail stations -- will be closed during the Memorial Day Holiday Weekend from 10 p.m., Friday, May 27, to closing on Monday, May 30. During that time, the agency will undertake work to replace four track switches at the Eastern Market Metrorail station.
Metro encourages customers to travel on other days or using alternate travel options if possible in this area. While bus shuttles will be available to get around the closures, traffic congestion is expected to be challenging as the Stars, Stripes and Spokes motorcycle event at RFK Stadium is expected to attract 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts.
However, to assist riders who must travel through the work zone, Metro will operate free shuttle buses between the Federal Center SW and Minnesota Ave and Benning Road Metrorail stations. 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, tweet, place notices on station kiosks, issue a series of news releases, take out paid advertisements in local papers and make train and system announcements. Additional information will be available on Metro=s web site at metroopensdoors.com.
During the weekend, extra Metro employees will be available at the Federal Center SW, Capitol South, Eastern Market, Potomac Ave, Stadium-Armory, Minnesota Ave and Benning Road Metrorail stations to help customers navigate around the weekend closure using free bus shuttle service.
Weekend Blue and Orange Line Service
From 10 p.m., Friday, May 27 to closing on Monday, May 30, the Blue and Orange lines will be split in two sections. The Blue Line will operate between the Franconia-Springfield and Federal Center SW Metrorail stations and between the Largo Town Center and Benning Road Metrorail stations. The Orange Line will operate between the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU and Federal Center SW Metrorail stations and between the New Carrollton and Minnesota Ave Metrorail stations.
Weekend Red Line Service
From 10 p.m., Friday, May 27 to closing on Monday, May 30, Red Line trains will share one track between the Friendship Heights and Grosvenor-Strathmore Metrorail stations as Metro repairs tunnel leaks. Also, from 10 p.m., Friday, May 27 to closing on Sunday, May 29, Red Line trains will share one track at various locations between the Judiciary Square and Takoma Metrorail stations as personnel make repairs to the surface underneath the rails to make it a smoother ride for customers.
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, 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 12:45 pm, April 28, 2011.