Frequently Asked Questions
About the Project
- Why is Metro doing this work and why is it happening during these two weeks?
- What are the customer impacts?
- How can I stay up to date on the Red Line service information?
Travel Options
- Are there additional travel options while Red Line service is unavailable?
- During the construction, what travel options are available to access downtown event venues, shopping, and museums?
- Will I be charged an additional fee to ride the shuttle buses and connect back to the rail system?
- Where can I find information about other station closures and track work in the Metrorail system?
Shuttle Bus Service
- Where can I learn more about the shuttle bus service?
- Will shuttle bus information be available on Metro's Trip Planner?
- What will the hours of operation and frequencies be for the free shuttle bus service at the impacted stations?
- Where can I find other travel options besides shuttle bus service?
- What will the shuttle buses look like?
- Will the shuttle buses be free?
Parking & Biking
Fares
- Will the shuttle buses be free?
- How will I be able to load my SmarTrip® card if the station is closed?
Accessibility
- Will the shuttle buses and bus stops be accessible to people with disabilities?
- Can I bring my service animal on the shuttle buses?
- Will bilingual staff be available to provide information and assistance to customers?
About the Project
Why is Metro doing this work and why is it happening during these two weeks?
Both tracks must be taken out of service to complete this work as safely and efficiently as possible. Crews will address issues in the tunnels, which are nearly 50 years old and date back to the original stations. The work involves building supports to repair an overhead concrete beam. Crews will remove the concrete, pour approximately 1,000 square feet of new concrete for the new beam and reinforce it with additional rebar.
Metro chose to close at this time because ridership is historically 40% lower than a typical week, meaning our work will impact the least number of customers. It would take approximately three months to complete if this work were done during nights and weekends.
What are the customer impacts?
Here's an overview of the timeframes and customer impacts.
Monday, Dec. 18 - Thursday, Dec. 21 and Monday, Dec. 25 - Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023
There will be no Red Line service between Dupont Circle and Gallery Place. Farragut North will be closed.
Blue, Orange, and Silver line service is available on the lower level at Metro Center. Green and Yellow line service is available on the lower level at Gallery Place. Trains will operate every eight minutes between Shady Grove and Dupont Circle, and every ten minutes between Glenmont and Gallery Place.
Friday, Dec. 22 - Sunday, Dec. 24, 2023
There will be no Red Line service between Dupont Circle and Union Station. Farragut North and Judiciary Sq stations will be closed. Red Line service will be unavailable at Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place, and Judiciary Sq.
Blue, Orange, and Silver line service is available on the lower level at Metro Center. Green and Yellow line service is available on the lower level at Gallery Place. Trains will operate every 8 minutes between Shady Grove and Dupont Circle and Glenmont and Union Station. You can visit our Shuttle Bus Options page for more information about free shuttle bus and Metrobus service options.
How can I stay up to date on the Red Line service information?
Metro will share construction updates via social media and Metro Alerts.
Travel Options
Are there additional travel options while Red Line service is unavailable?
Yes. Free shuttle bus service will replace trains during the Red Line station closures. Visit the Shuttle Bus Options page for information about free shuttles, bus routes, and other convenient travel options.
During the construction, what travel options are available to access downtown event venues, shopping, and museums?
This area is accessible via the Gallery Place station on the Green and Yellow lines. It is also within walking distance of the Judiciary Sq*, Metro Center, and Archives stations.
*Judiciary Sq is closed from Friday, Dec. 22 through Sunday, Dec. 24
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. During this work, we're offering "virtual tunnels" allow customers to transfer above ground by walking or taking a shuttle to another station while only being charged the fare they would have paid if they continued on the Metrorail system.
The following virtual tunnels will be available from Dec. 18 through Dec. 30.
- Between Dupont Circle and Gallery Place
- Between Dupont Circle and Metro Center
- Between Dupont Circle and Union Station
- Between Dupont Circle and Farragut West
- Between Dupont Circle and Foggy Bottom (walking alternative)
- Between Metro Center and Gallery Place
- Between Metro Center and Union Station
- Between Gallery Place and Union Station
- Between Union Station and Capitol South (walking alternative)
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.
Shuttle Bus Service
Where can I learn more about the shuttle bus service?
Free shuttle buses will replace trains during the Red Line construction. Metro will provide shuttle bus service to the impacted stations. Visit the Shuttle Bus Options page for information about free shuttles, bus routes, and other convenient travel options.
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.
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 10 minutes. Wait times may be longer during rush hours due to traffic conditions. You can visit the Shuttle Bus Options page for more information about shuttle buses and other convenient bus options.
Where can I find other travel options besides shuttle bus service?
Metro 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.
What will the shuttle buses look like?
Standard Metrobus and coach (tour) buses will be used on all shuttle routes. The destination is displayed on the signage on the front of the bus.
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.
Parking & Biking
Can I take my bike or scooter on the shuttle buses?
Yes, bicycles can be stowed in the luggage compartment of the coach buses and transported on the front racks of Metrobus. 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.
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.
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 Metro station.
Accessibility
Will the shuttle buses and bus stops be accessible to people with disabilities?
Yes, all shuttle buses (standard Metrobus and coach buses) will be ADA-accessible. Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV) are available for customers upon request. At Union Station the wheelchair accessible vehicle will pick up at the First & G streets NE entrance Please ask a staff member at a shuttle bus stop for further assistance.
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 (similar to accessibility on Metrorail and Metrobus).
Will bilingual staff be available to provide information and assistance to customers?
Yes, bilingual Spanish-speaking Metro staff will be at all impacted stations to provide information and assistance to customers. Based on station-specific needs, Metro staff may also speak other languages, such as Korean, Vietnamese, Amharic, and Mandarin. Metro outreach staff will wear language buttons to inform you which languages they speak.