Metro News Release

For immediate release: September 30, 2013

Weekend service adjustments October 4-6 due to rebuilding

Reconstruction of the Metrorail system will continue over the weekend of October 4-6 with service adjustments beginning at 10 p.m. Friday night and continuing through system closing on Sunday. 

Trains on the Orange and Green will operate at regular weekend intervals, except at one station: Greenbelt.  On the Blue and Yellow lines, trains will run every 16 minutes, rather than every 12 minutes.  On the Red Line, buses will replace trains between Dupont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet stations; daytime trains will run every 10 minutes outside the work zone.

Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more. It represents the largest capital investment -- and work effort -- since the system's original construction in the early 1970s.

Red Line Red Line 10 p.m. Fri., Oct. 4 through closing Sun., Oct. 6
Buses replace trains between Dupont Circle & NoMa-Gallaudet

Red Line trains will operate:

  • Between Shady Grove & Dupont Circle: Every 10 minutes 9AM-9PM and at regular weekend intervals at other times.   
  • Between Glenmont & NoMa-Gallaudet: Every 10 minutes 9AM-9PM and at regular weekend intervals at other times.

Free shuttle buses will replace Red Line trains between Dupont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet to allow for third-rail infrastructure upgrades, rail fastener and tie replacement, rail welding, structural repairs, and security camera work. Within the work zone, shuttle buses will operate on two routes:

  • Limited stop buses will travel between Dupont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet stations with intermediate stops at Metro Center and Gallery Place only.
  • Local buses will travel between Dupont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet making all intermediate stops (Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place, Judiciary Square and Union Station).

Estimated Bus Travel Times

  • Between Dupont Circle and Metro Center:  10 minutes 
  • Between NoMa-Gallaudet and Gallery Place: 10 minutes
  • Between Dupont Circle and NoMa-Gallaudet: 25 minutes
  • Between Farragut North and Dupont Circle: 5 minutes
  • Between Union Station and Dupont Circle: 34 minutes  

Travel Tips

  • From the eastern side of the Red Line, use the Green Line between Fort Totten and downtown destinations.
  • Metrobus may be a good alternative for some riders, including those along Wisconsin Ave NW and Connecticut Ave NW.  To check, use Metro's trip planner and select the "bus only" option.
  • Riders transferring between the Blue/Orange and Green/Yellow lines should use L'Enfant Plaza.

Stations & Entrances Closed 

  • Union Station, Judiciary Square, Farragut North stations will be closed
  • Gallery Place will be open for Yellow and Green line service only. The 9th & F street entrance will be closed.  Use entrances at 7th & H or 7th & F streets to access the station.
  • Metro Center will be open for Blue and Orange line service only.  The 13th & G and 11th & G street entrances will be closed.  Use entrances at 12th & G or 12th & F to access the station.

Changes to Last Train Times

  • The last Red Line train of the night from Glenmont to NoMa-Gallaudet will depart 41 minutes earlier than normal to allow for shuttle bus connections.  On Friday and Saturday nights, the last train will leave Glenmont at 1:56 a.m., and on Sunday, the last train will leave Glenmont at 10:56 p.m.
  • The last Red Line train of the night from Shady Grove to Dupont Circle will depart 30 minutes earlier than normal to allow for shuttle bus connections.  On Friday and Saturday nights, the last train will leave Shady Grove at 2:00 a.m., and on Sunday, the last train will leave Shady Grove at 11:00 p.m.

Orange LineOrange Line  Regular weekend service

 Blue Line 10 p.m. Fri., Oct. 4 through closing Sun., Oct. 6
Trains every 16 minutes

Blue Line trains will operate:

  • Between Franconia-Springfield & Largo Town Center: Every 16 minutes during daytime hours and at regular weekend intervals at other times.  (Normal daytime service is every 12 minutes.)

Work Performed: South of Braddock Road Station, crews will install new rail ties, eliminate joints, improve track conditions and make third-rail upgrades.

Travel Tip:  Before traveling, consult the trip planner at wmata.com to check the special schedule and reduce your wait time. (Trip Planner is updated to reflect weekend rebuilding schedules on Fridays; please check on Friday afternoon or later.)  You will experience the additional wait time on the platform.  Once your train departs the station, it is not expected to encounter additional delays en route.

 Yellow Line 10 p.m. Fri., Oct. 4 through closing Sun., Oct. 6
Trains every 16 minutes between Huntington & Mt Vernon Sq

Yellow Line trains will operate:

  • Between Huntington & Mt Vernon Sq: Every 16 minutes during daytime hours and at regular weekend intervals at other times.  (Normal daytime service is every 12 minutes.)

Riders traveling to/from stations north of Mt Vernon Sq should use Green Line trains to complete their trip.  Transfer between Green and Yellow lines at Mt Vernon Sq.

Work Performed: South of Braddock Road Station, crews will install new rail ties, eliminate joints, improve track conditions and make third-rail upgrades.

Travel Tip:  Before traveling, consult the trip planner at wmata.com to check the special schedule and reduce your wait time. (Trip Planner is updated to reflect weekend rebuilding schedules on Fridays; please check on Friday afternoon or later.)  You will experience the additional wait time on the platform.  Once your train departs the station, it is not expected to encounter additional delays en route.

 Green Line 10 p.m. Fri., Oct. 4 through closing Sun., Oct. 6
Regular service except during daytime hours at Greenbelt Station

Green Line trains will operate:

  • Between College Park & Branch Ave at regular weekend intervals (every 12 minutes 9AM-9PM).
  • At Greenbelt Station only, trains will arrive and depart every 20-25 minutes due to construction activity.

Work Performed: Construction will continue on Metro's new test track in preparation for the arrival of 7000-series railcars.  The test track is located between College Park and Greenbelt.

Travel Tip: Riders who normally use Greenbelt Station may wish to consider College Park (Green Line) or New Carrollton (Orange Line) as alternates this weekend.

For more information

For schedules, real-time train arrivals and station information, visit wmata.com. Metro riders can access Metro's new mobile website by entering wmata.com into their smartphone browser. For assistance by phone, call Metro customer information at (202) 637-7000 [TTY 202-638-3780].

News release issued at 8:51 am, September 30, 2013.