Metro News Release

For immediate release: February 9, 2013

Metro weekend track work February 15-18 (updated)


Buses replace trains on portion of Orange, Blue and Green lines; Single tracking on Red Line

The release below has been updated to reflect the following:

  • On Monday, additional Red Line trains will start at 6 a.m., rather than 9 a.m.
  • Green Line work will take place only on Saturday, rather than throughout the weekend.
  •  A limited-stop bus option has been added for Blue Line customers to reduce travel time.

The ongoing effort to rebuild and upgrade the Metrorail system to provide safer and more reliable service will continue over Presidents' Day weekend, February 15-18, on the Red, Orange, Blue and Green lines. 

There is no scheduled track work this weekend on the Yellow Line.  Trains will operate normally between Huntington and Fort Totten.

On Presidents' Day, Monday, February 18, Metrorail service will operate on a Saturday schedule. The system will open at 5 a.m. and close at midnight. Metrobus service will operate on a "Saturday Supplemental" schedule; customers should check timetables for details.

Orange Line

  • Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through system closing on Monday, free shuttle buses will replace Orange Line trains between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly to allow for replacement of track switches outside Stadium-Armory station, along with platform reconstruction, rail joint and fastener renewal, grout pad rehabilitation and electrical work.
  • Two stations will be closed: Minnesota Ave and Deanwood.
  • Orange Line trains will operate in two segments throughout the weekend: between Vienna and Stadium-Armory every 15 minutes, and between New Carrollton and Cheverly every 15 minutes.
  • Shuttle buses will operate between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly stopping at all intermediate stations. Customers using shuttle buses to travel through the work zone should add up to 30 minutes to their travel time.
  • Note: To allow for bus connections, the last train of the night from New Carrollton to Cheverly will depart 50 minutes earlier than normal -- at 1:46 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and at 10:46 p.m. on Sunday and Monday nights.

Blue Line

  • Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through system closing on Monday, free shuttle buses will replace Blue Line trains between Stadium-Armory and Largo Town Center to allow for replacement of track switches outside Stadium-Armory station, along with rail joint and fastener renewal, grout pad rehabilitation and electrical work.
  • Five stations will be closed: Benning Road, Capitol Heights, Addison Road, Morgan Boulevard and Largo Town Center.
  • Shuttle bus service will operate on two routes: local buses will operate between Stadium-Armory and Largo Town Center serving all intermediate stations; add up to 50 minutes of travel time. Limited stop buses will operate between Stadium-Armory, Addison Road and Largo Town Center stations only; add up to 35 minutes of travel time.

Red Line

  • Beginning at 10 p.m. Friday and continuing through system closing on Monday, Red Line trains will single track between Rhode Island Avenue and Takoma to allow for platform reconstruction.
  • Throughout the weekend, trains will operate every 20 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont.
  • On Saturday and Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m., additional trains will operate between Shady Grove and NoMa-Gallaudet, resulting in service about every 10 minutes between those stations.
  • On Monday, between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., additional trains will operate between Shady Grove and NoMa-Gallaudet, resulting in service about every 10 minutes between those stations.
  • Customers traveling through the work zone should allow about 15 minutes of additional travel time.

Green Line

  • On Saturday, February 16 only, free shuttle buses will replace Green Line trains between Greenbelt and College Park to allow for construction associated with a new track to test 7000-series railcars.
  • Green Line trains will operate normally, at regular weekend intervals, between College Park and Branch Avenue.
  • Customers traveling to or from Greenbelt Station only should allow about 15 minutes of additional travel time.
  • On Friday, Sunday and Monday, Green Line trains will operate normally between Greenbelt and Branch Avenue.

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 9:21 am, February 11, 2013.