SafeTrack
SafeTrack is an accelerated track work plan to address safety recommendations and rehabilitate the Metrorail system to improve safety and reliability. Through SafeTrack, Metro will complete approximately three years' worth of work into approximately one year. The plan significantly expands maintenance time on weeknights, weekends and midday hours and includes 16 "Safety Surges" - long duration track outages for major projects in key parts of the system.
Why is SafeTrack necessary?
Metrorail is currently open 135 out of 168 hours per week, leaving insufficient time for maintenance and other necessary track work. By closing the system at midnight on weekends and expanding weekday maintenance opportunities, SafeTrack addresses FTA and NTSB safety recommendations and deferred maintenance backlogs while restoring track infrastructure to good health. In addition the 16 "Safety Surges" will utilize long-duration track outages through around-the-clock single tracking or line-segment shutdowns that will impact rush hour commutes.
How will SafeTrack impact my commute?
Due to reduced capacity and expected longer travel times, Metrorail riders are encouraged to consider using alternate travel options while safety surge work is scheduled on their line. Trains and platforms may be extremely crowded during peak periods and customers may experience extended delays. Review the links below for more information about each surge project and potential impacts on your commute.
Completed SafeTrack surges & progress reports
Date | Duration | Lines | Impact | Area Affected | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
June 4 - 16 | 13 days | Continuous Single Track |
East Falls Church to Ballston
Progress Report |
||
June 18 - July 3 | 16 days | Line Segment Shutdown |
Eastern Market to Minnesota Ave & Benning Road
Progress Report |
||
July 5 - 11
*Starts 8pm July 5 |
7 days | Line Segment Shutdown |
National Airport to Braddock Road
Progress Report |
||
July 12 - 18 | 7 days | Line Segment Shutdown |
Pentagon City to National Airport
Progress Report |
||
July 20 - 31 | 12 days | Continuous Single Track |
East Falls Church to Ballston
Progress Report |
||
August 1 - 7 | 7 days | Continuous Single Track |
Takoma to Silver Spring
Progress Report |
||
August 9 - 21 | 13 days | Continuous Single Track; weekend line segment shutdown |
Shady Grove to Twinbrook
Progress Report |
||
August 27 - September 11 | 16 days | Continuous Single Track; weekend line segment shutdown |
Franconia-Springfield to Van Dorn Street
Progress Report |
||
September 15 - October 26 | 42 days | Continuous Single Track; weekend line segment shutdown |
Vienna to West Falls Church
Progress Report |
||
October 29 - November 22 | 25 days | Line Segment Shutdown |
Fort Totten to NoMa
Progress Report |
||
November 28 - December 20 | 23 days | Continuous Single Track |
East Falls Church to West Falls Church
Progress Report |
||
February 11 - 28 | 18 days | Line Segment Shutdown |
Rosslyn to Pentagon
Progress Report |
||
March 4 - April 12
|
40 days | Continuous Single Track |
Braddock Rd to Huntington/Van Dorn St
Progress Report |
||
April 15-May 14
|
30 days
|
Line Segment Shutdown
|
Greenbelt to College Park/Prince George's Plaza | ||
May 16 - June 15 | 31 days | Line Segment Shutdown | New Carrollton to Stadium-Armory | ||
June 17 - 25 | 9 days | Line Segment Shutdown | Shady Grove to Twinbrook |