Metro News Release
For immediate release: May 5, 2011
Weekend renovation to improve reliability, service on Red, Orange and Blue Lines
Upgrades to improve efficiency, performance
This weekend (May 6 to 8) 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, Orange and Blue lines will single-track from 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, to closing on Sunday, May 8. When the work is complete, it will mean riders will have a safer and smoother ride.
Red Line Service
From 9:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, to closing on Sunday, May 8, 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 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, more frequent service will be offered on the Red Line with trains operating approximately every six to 10 minutes between the Friendship Heights and New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U Metrorail stations.
Orange Line Service
From 10 p.m. Friday, May 6, to closing on Sunday, May 8, Orange Line trains will share one track between the Ballston-MU and West Falls Church-VT/UVA Metrorail stations for construction activities related to the Dulles Metrorail extension and Metro personnel replacing cross ties.
On Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, every other Orange Line train traveling to the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU Metrorail station will terminate at the Ballston-MU Metrorail station and return to the New Carrollton Metrorail station. Orange Line trains will operate approximately every 12 minutes between the New Carrollton and Ballston-MU Metrorail stations. For people traveling beyond the Ballston-MU Metrorail station towards the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU Metrorail station, Orange Line trains will operate approximately every 24 minutes.
Blue Line Service
From 10 p.m. Friday, May 6 to closing on Sunday, May 8, Blue Line trains will share one track between the Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street Metrorail stations as personnel resurface the ground underneath the rails.
On Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, every other Blue Line train traveling to the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail station will terminate at the Van Dorn Street Metrorail station and return to the Largo Town Center Metrorail station. Blue Line trains will operate approximately every 12 to 15 minutes between the Largo Town Center and Van Dorn Street Metrorail stations. For people traveling beyond the Van Dorn Street Metrorail station towards the Franconia-Springfield Metrorail station, Blue Line trains will operate approximately every 24 to 30 minutes.
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.
News release issued at 10:32 am, May 5, 2011.