Metro News Release

For immediate release: October 17, 2011

Major Track Work Planned for the weekend of October 21-23


Buses replace trains on the Red Line between Fort Totten and New York Avenue

Metro will advance major track work on sections of the Red, Blue and Green lines this weekend. On the Red Line, buses will replace trains between Fort Totten and New York Avenue as Metro installs new track, ties, insulators and provides a work zone for District of Columbia Department of Transportation bridge work near New York Avenue station. Two stations -- Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland -- will be closed as a result.

Customers should take note of the following service impacts:

Red Line – from 10 p.m., Friday through closing on Sunday

  • Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Fort Totten and New York Avenue stations.
  • Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland stations will be closed.
  • Red Line service will operate normally (regular weekend schedule) between Shady Grove and New York Avenue and between Glenmont and Fort Totten.
  • The last train from Glenmont will depart 27 minutes earlier than usual, at 2:10 a.m. on Friday, October 21, and Saturday, October 22, and at 11:10 p.m., on Sunday, October 23.
  • Customers can avoid the work area by connecting to the Green Line for travel between Gallery Place and Fort Totten.
  • Customers using shuttle buses should allow about 30 minutes of additional travel time.

Blue Line – 10 p.m. Friday through closing on Sunday

  • Blue Line trains will share one track between Stadium-Armory and Addison Road stations as crews make repairs to the floating slabs underneath the rails.
  • Throughout the weekend, Blue Line trains will depart endpoint terminals approximately every 20 minutes.
  • All Blue Line customers should allow about 20 minutes of additional travel time.

Green and Yellow Lines – 10 p.m. Friday through closing on Sunday

  • Green Line trains will share one track between Fort Totten and Prince George’s Plaza stations as personnel conduct rail renewal work.
  • Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Square.
  • Trains will operate every 16-20 minutes on each line.
  • Green and Yellow line customers should allow about 20 minutes of additional travel time.

Weekday Service Information

During the week of October 17-21, trains will share one track on the Red, Blue and Green Lines. Customers should note the following minor service impacts:

Red Line – 10 p.m. through closing Monday through Thursday

  • Red Line single tracking between Friendship Heights and Grosvenor (rail renewal and tunnel leak repairs).
  • Red Line single tracking between Takoma and Forest Glen (station rehabilitation).
  • No delays expected.

Orange Line – 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Monday through Friday

  • Orange Line single tracking between Vienna and West Falls Church (rail and tie renewal).
  • No delays expected.

Blue Line – 10 p.m. through closing Monday through Thursday

  • Blue Line single tracking between the Stadium-Armory and Addison Road-Seat Pleasant (floating slab repairs).
  • No delays expected.

Green Line – 10 p.m. through closing Monday through Thursday

  • Green Line single tracking between L’Enfant Plaza and Southern Avenue (prep work for switch replacement). 
  • Green Line single tracking between Fort Totten and Prince George’s Plaza (cable installation).
  • No delays expected.

Metro is advancing a six-year, $5 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that is focused on safety and bringing the Metro system into a state of good repair. In FY2012, the CIP includes projects to replace escalators; retrofit track; replace critical track circuitry and equipment along the right of way; rehabilitate third-rail power systems, running rail and track pads; modernize 12 stations; replace 100 Metrobuses and the rehabilitate 100 more; renovate three bus garages; and install 30 new track turnouts.

The Trip Planner on Metro’s website will not reflect the impact of this work on schedules. For more information on traveling by Metrobus or Metrorail, customers may call 202-637-7000 or TTY 202-638-3780, or visit wmata.com.

News release issued at 10:07 am, October 17, 2011.