Metro News Release

For immediate release: November 7, 2011

Major track work planned on the Green Line for Veterans' Day weekend, November 10-13


Buses replace trains on the Green Line between L’Enfant Plaza and Southern Ave

Metro will advance major track work on the Green Line this weekend, beginning at 10 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, and continuing through closing Sunday, Nov. 13.  (Friday is Veterans' Day, a federal holiday.)

Buses will replace trains between L'Enfant Plaza and Southern Avenue stations as Metro personnel install new "Guarded #8" track switches, an NTSB-recommended safety improvement.  As a result, four stations -- Waterfront, Navy Yard, Anacostia and Congress Heights -- will be closed. Free shuttle buses will make stops outside each of the closed Metrorail stations. 

Customers should note the following service impacts:

Green and Yellow Line – from 10 p.m., Thursday through closing on Sunday

  • From 10 p.m., Thursday, November 10, through closing on Sunday, November 13, buses will replace Green Line trains between L’Enfant Plaza and Southern Avenue stations to allow for NTSB-recommended switch replacement.
  • Four stations will be closed: Waterfront, Navy Yard, Anacostia and Congress Heights.
  • Green Line trains will operate in two sections -- between Greenbelt and Huntington and between Branch Avenue and Southern Avenue.
  • Free "local" shuttle bus service will operate between L’Enfant Plaza and Southern Avenue with stops at Waterfront, Navy Yard, Anacostia and Congress Heights.
  • Free "express" shuttle bus service will operate between L’Enfant Plaza and Southern Avenue with an intermediate stop at Anacostia.
  • Last trains through the work zone:
         • Northbound: Departs from Branch Ave. at 9:25 pm, L’Enfant at 9:44 pm, arriving Greenbelt at 10:12 pm.
         • Southbound: Departs from Greenbelt at 9:11 pm, Southern Ave at 9:50 pm, arriving Branch Ave at 9:58 pm.
  • The last train will depart Branch Avenue 20 minutes earlier than usual—at 11:04 p.m. on Thursday night, 2:04 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights and 11:04 p.m. on Sunday night.
  • Customers using shuttle buses should allow 30 minutes of additional travel time.
  • Yellow Line trains will operate between Huntington and Greenbelt throughout the weekend.
  • Normal rail service will resume on Monday, November 14.

Shady Grove and Rockville Stations – from 11 p.m. Saturday through system closing

  • Shady Grove and Rockville stations will close at 11 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, to allow for necessary signal system repairs.
  • Free shuttle buses will operate between Shady Grove and Twinbrook with a stop at the Rockville.
  • Customers using shuttle buses should allow about 15 minutes of additional travel time.
  • The two affected stations will reopen for service at 7 a.m. Sunday, November 13.

Weekday Service Information

During the week of November 7-11, trains will share one track on the Red, Blue, Yellow, Orange and Green Lines. Customers should note the following minor service impacts:

Red Line – 8 p.m. through closing Monday through Thursday

  • Red Line single tracking between Dupont Circle and Van Ness-UDC (track circuit replacement).
  • Customers should add 15 minutes to their travel time.

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

  • Red Line single tracking between Takoma and Forest Glen (signal upgrades).
  • No delays expected.

Red Line – 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday

  • Red Line single tracking between Shady Grove and Twinbrook (rail and tie renewal).
  • No delays expected.

Blue and Yellow Lines – 10 a.m. through 2 p.m. Monday through Friday

  • Blue and Yellow Line trains will single track between Braddock Road and National Airport.
  • Yellow Line trains will operate every 18 minutes between Huntington and Mt. Vernon Sq. stations. Customers traveling between Mt. Vernon Sq. and Fort Totten should use Green Line trains for travel north of Mt. Vernon Sq.
  • Blue Line trains will operate every 18 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center.
  • Customers on the Blue or Yellow lines should add about 15 minutes of travel time.

Blue and Orange lines – 10 p.m. through closing Monday through Tuesday

  • Blue and Orange Line single tracking between McPherson Square and Foggy Bottom (rail renewal).
  • No delays expected.

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

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

Orange Line – 10 p.m. through closing Wednesday through Thursday

  • Orange Line single tracking between East Falls Church and West Falls Church (insulator repairs).
  • No delays expected.

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

  • Green Line single tracking between L’Enfant Plaza and Southern Avenue (prep work for switch replacement).
  • 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 10:36 am, November 7, 2011.