Metro News Release
For immediate release: September 17, 2012
Metro weekend track work September 21-23, 2012
Buses replace trains between Grosvenor and Friendship Heights; single tracking on the Orange Line
The ongoing effort to rebuild and upgrade the Metrorail system to provide safer and more reliable service will continue over the weekend of September 21-23, 2012, on the Red and Orange lines only. The work will begin at 10 p.m. Friday and continue through system closing on Sunday.
On the Blue, Yellow and Green lines, service will operate on a regular weekend schedule with no planned track work this weekend.
Red Line
Buses will replace Red Line trains between Grosvenor and Friendship Heights to allow for rail renewal, fastener replacement, grout pad rehabilitation and leak mitigation. As a result, Red Line trains will operate in two segments: between Shady Grove and Grosvenor, and between Friendship Heights and Glenmont. Between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Red Line trains will operate every 10 minutes. At other times, trains will operate at regular weekend intervals. Customers traveling through the work zone should allow about 30 minutes of additional travel time. (Note: On Friday and Saturday nights, the last Red Line train from Shady Grove to Grosvenor will depart at 1:58 a.m., 32 minutes earlier than normal, to allow for shuttle bus connections. On Sunday night, the last train will depart Shady Grove at 10:58 p.m.)
Orange Line
Orange Line trains will single track between East Falls Church and Ballston for tie and insulator renewal, and between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly for platform reconstruction. Throughout the weekend, Orange Line trains will operate every 24 minutes. Customers should allow 15 minutes of additional travel time.
Metro is advancing Metro Forward, 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, Metro Forward 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 Metro buses and the rehabilitate 100 more; renovate three bus garages; and install 30 new track turnouts.
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 10:18 am, September 17, 2012.