Metro News Release
For immediate release: May 19, 2011
Weekend renovation to improve reliability, service on Red, Blue, Orange and Green Lines
Upgrades to improve efficiency, performance
This weekend (May 20 to 22) 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, Blue, Orange and Green lines will single-track from 10 p.m. Friday, May 20, to closing on Sunday, May 22. When the work is complete, it will mean riders will have a safer and smoother ride.
Red Line Service
From 10 p.m. Friday, May 20, to closing on Sunday, May 22, Red Line trains will share one track between the Friendship Heights and Grosvenor-Strathmore as personnel repair tunnel leaks and replace rail fasteners in the area to provide a smoother ride. Red Line trains also will share one track between the Takoma and Forest Glen Metrorail stations as personnel make train control improvements, replace rail ties and smooth out the surface underneath the rails to make it a smoother ride.
Throughout the weekend, Red Line trains will depart the Shady Grove and Glenmont Metrorail stations approximately every 24 minutes. From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, and Sunday, May 22, more frequent service will be offered on the Red Line with trains operating approximately every 12 minutes between the Friendship Heights and Takoma Metrorail stations.
Blue and Orange Line Service
From 10 p.m., Friday, May 20, to closing on Sunday, May 22, Blue and Orange Line trains will share one track between the Foggy Bottom-GWU and Arlington Cemetery/Clarendon Metrorail stations as personnel make replace rail fasteners in that area to provide a smoother ride.
Throughout the weekend, all Blue and Orange Line trains will depart approximately every 20 minutes from the end of each terminal station.
Green Line Service
From 10 p.m. Friday, May 20, to closing on Sunday, May 22, Green Line trains will share one track between the Navy Yard and Anacostia Metrorail stations while personnel install new track in that area to provide a smoother ride.
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 11:52 am, May 19, 2011.