Metro News Release

For immediate release: March 11, 2013

Metro weekend system rebuilding work March 15-17


Buses replace trains on Red Line between Takoma and NoMa-Gallaudet; single tracking on 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 March 15-17 on the Red and Orange lines. The work will begin at 10 p.m. Friday and continue through system closing on Sunday.

There is no scheduled work this weekend on the Green, Yellow or Blue lines.

On Saturday, March 16, the Metrorail system will open two hours early -- at 5 a.m. -- for the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon.

Red Line

  • Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between NoMa-Gallaudet and Takoma for ongoing platform reconstruction, track upgrades and DDOT bridge work.
  • Three stations will be closed: Rhode Island Ave, Brookland and Fort Totten.
  • Red Line trains will operate in two segments: between Glenmont and Takoma, and between NoMa-Gallaudet and Shady Grove.
  • Trains will operate every 10 minutes from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. and every 15 minutes at other times.
  • Shuttle bus service will operate between NoMa-Gallaudet and Takoma stations. Customers using shuttle bus service should add up to 40 minutes to their travel time. Customers can use Green Line trains between Fort Totten and Gallery Place to avoid the work zone.
  • Note: To allow for bus connections, the last train of the night from Glenmont to Takoma will depart 38 minutes earlier than normal -- at 1:59 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, and at 10:59 p.m. on Sunday night.

Orange Line

  • Orange Line trains will single track through two work zones: between East Falls Church and West Falls Church for Silver Line testing, and between Stadium-Armory and Cheverly to allow for platform reconstruction, tie and insulator renewal, and track maintenance.
  • Orange Line trains between Vienna and New Carrollton will operate every 24 minutes throughout the weekend.
  • On Saturday, March 16 between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m., additional trains will operate between East Falls Church and Stadium-Armory, resulting in service about every 12-15 minutes between those stations.  Stations served by combined Blue/Orange trains will see even more frequent service.
  • Customers traveling on the Orange Line should allow about 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 10:51 am, March 11, 2013.