Frequently Asked Questions

About the Project

Why is Metro doing this work?

Metro is closing Crystal City station over ten weekends from Feb. to June 2026 to ensure passenger and crew safety during construction of a second entrance at Crystal City in collaboration with Arlington County. The second entrance is expected to open in spring 2027 and will improve accessibility, transfers, and rider distribution. For more information about the new entrance, please visit Arlington County's project page.

Additionally, Metro is performing important maintenance on existing track infrastructure in the area, leading to Reagan Airport and Potomac Yard stations closing across three of the impacted weekends.

Metro strategically coordinated these impacts to be on pause during Cherry Blossom season (March 9-May 8) to minimize disruption during one of the region’s busiest annual travel periods.

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What stations will be closed when?

Crystal City station will be closed, and no trains will run from Pentagon City to Reagan Airport:

  • Feb. 14-16, 2026 (three-day closure)
  • Feb. 21-22, 2026
  • Feb. 28-March 1, 2026
  • March 7-8, 2026
  • May 9-10, 2026
  • May 16-17, 2026
  • May 30-31, 2026
  • June 6-7, 2026
  • June 13-14, 2026
  • June 19-21, 2026 (three-day closure)

Reagan Airport and Potomac Yard stations will also be closed, and shuttles will extend to Braddock Rd:

  • March 7-8, 2026
  • May 9-10, 2026
  • May 16-17, 2026

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Why is the work taking place over ten weekends, and why do some stations have to close?

Metro and Arlington County are performing this work over the weekend to minimize impact on customers during weekdays. The station closure schedule is determined by when crews will be performing work at stations that requires closures to ensure crew and customer safety.

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How and where did Metro notify the public of the weekend work?

Passengers were informed of track work impacts on service through multiple channels, including MetroAlerts, our website, advertising, station signs, social posts, news media outlets, and in-person notification. We posted the following advisories and releases:

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Travel Options

Are there additional travel options while Blue and Yellow Line service is impacted?

Yes. Free shuttle bus service will replace trains during the Blue and Yellow Line station closures. Visit the Free Shuttle Service section of the Crystal City Entrance Construction: Spring 2026 Weekend Closures page to learn more about free shuttles, bus routes, and other convenient travel options.

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Will I be charged an additional fee to ride the shuttle buses and connect back to the rail system?

No, customers will not be charged to ride a shuttle and connect back to the rail system.

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Where can I find information about other station closures and track work in the Metrorail system?

For all upcoming scheduled closures, track work, and other service impacts, visit wmata.com/trackwork.

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Shuttle Bus Service

Where can I learn more about the shuttle bus service?

Free shuttle buses will replace trains during the Blue and Yellow Line weekend construction to construct Crystal City’s new entrance. Metro will provide both Express and Local shuttle bus service to impacted stations. Visit the Free Shuttle Service section of the Crystal City Entrance Construction: Spring 2026 Weekend Closures page to learn more about free shuttles, bus routes, and other convenient travel options.

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Will shuttle bus information be available on Metro's Trip Planner?

Metro will update the Trip Planner with shuttle bus and rail service information to ensure accurate trip planning. Once the Trip Planner is updated, third-party apps and websites will also use that data to update their information.

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Where will the shuttle pick up and drop off at Reagan Airport?

Metro's shuttle buses will pick up and drop off in the Kiss & Fly area outside of the airport’s Terminal 2, located outside of the Metro station on the street level on National Avenue.

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Are there luggage racks on the shuttle buses?

No, there are no luggage racks or additional storage areas on or under the bus. Customers will need to board the buses carefully with their luggage and should ensure they have all of their items when exiting the shuttle bus.

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What will the hours of operation and frequencies be for the free shuttle bus service at the impacted stations?

Shuttles will be available during Metrorail operating hours, with service operating approximately every 8-10 minutes. Wait times may be longer during rush hours due to traffic conditions. First and last shuttle times are available in the First and Last Shuttle Times section on our Crystal City Entrance Construction: Spring 2026 Weekend Closures page.

Please note, Metrorail weekend operating hours expanded starting June 22, 2025.

Friday from 5 AM - 2AM
Saturday from 6 AM - 2 AM
Sunday from 6 AM - 12 AM

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Where can I find other travel options besides shuttle bus service?

Metro's mobile app, Metro Pulse, provides real-time bus and train information for customers to help plan their trips. Customers may choose to ride Metrobus options during this time based on their needs.

Metro also offers a convenient tool called Service Nearby. This site allows customers to enter their starting location. After submitting the request, bus and rail options are provided. The site even includes walking directions to the starting location.

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What will the shuttle buses look like?

Standard Metrobus buses will be used on all shuttle routes. The destination is displayed on the signage on the front of the bus.

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Will the shuttle buses be free?

Yes, Metro's shuttle bus service will be free. Customers do not need to use or show their SmarTrip card to board the shuttle buses.

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Biking

Can I take my bike or scooter on the shuttle buses?

Yes, bicycles can be stowed on the front racks of Metrobuses. Scooters are allowed onboard the Metrobus if it is an electrical device that can be folded and stored between your legs or under the bus seat while traveling. It must be powered off when traveling. Metro does not allow gas-powered scooters onboard.

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Fares

Will the shuttle buses be free?

Yes, Metro's shuttle bus service will be free. Customers do not need to use or show a SmarTrip card to board the shuttle buses.

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How will I be able to load my SmarTrip card if the station is closed?

Customers can reload their SmarTrip card online, set up Auto Reload, or use the SmarTrip app. For other ways to pay, customers can add their SmarTrip to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay and pay using their Android phone, iPhone, or Apple Watch. For more information, please visit our Mobile Pay page. Customers can also load SmarTrip cards at any other open Metro station.

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Accessibility

Will the shuttle buses and bus stops be accessible to people with disabilities?

Yes, all shuttle buses will be ADA-accessible. Please ask a staff member at a shuttle bus stop for further assistance.

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Does Metro allow strollers and how should they be stored on shuttles/buses?

Strollers are permitted on buses. However, we encourage customers to collapse them while riding on a Metrobus.

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Can I bring my service animal on the shuttle buses?

Yes, service animals that assist people with disabilities will be permitted on the shuttle buses.

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