Metro News Release
For immediate release: November 4, 2011
Weeknight work scheduled on Red Line to replace track circuits
Monday through Thursday evenings from 8 p.m. to closing
As part of Metro's effort to restore automatic train operations to the Red Line and consistent with a National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendation, Metro will perform targeted track circuit replacement during a four week period between Nov. 7 and Dec. 15. This critical weeknight work will require trains to share one track at various locations from 8 p.m. until system closing.
"Metro trains have been operating manually since June 2009, and this work is will put us on a path to returning to safe and reliable automatic train operations," said Richard Sarles, Metro General Manager and CEO.
Metro will operate additional 8-car trains during the late evening hours to accommodate customers.
Track circuits play a vital role in the safe movement of trains on the Metrorail system. The movement of trains is monitored in the Operations Control Center (OCC), through the signals sent and received through more than 3,000 track circuits along the right-of-way.
Customers are advised of the following weeknight service impacts:
Red Line - Monday through Thursday, November 7-17, from 8 p.m. to closing each night
- Trains will single track between the Dupont Circle and Van Ness-UDC stations.
- Customers should allow 15 minutes of additional travel time.
Red Line - 8 p.m. to closing, Monday, Nov. 21 to Wednesday, Nov. 23
- Trains will single track between the Van Ness and Friendship Heights stations.
- Customers should allow 15 minutes of additional travel time.
Red Line - 8 p.m. to closing, Monday, Dec. 12 to Thursday, Dec. 15
- Trains will single track between the Van Ness-UDC and Medical Center stations.
- Customers should add 20 minutes of additional travel time.
News release issued at 3:35 pm, November 4, 2011.