Summer 2026 Red Line Major Construction

From July 6-Sept. 6, 2026, Metro will complete major construction on the Red Line. During this period, trains will not operate between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights. Free parking will be available at North Bethesda and Grosvenor-Strathmore stations.

Free shuttle buses will replace trains at the following stations: Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, and Bethesda.

During this period, Red Line trains will operate every six minutes during the daytime and every ten minutes during late night service in two segments:

• Between Shady Grove and North Bethesda
• Between Friendship Heights and Glenmont

Anticipated construction activities

The construction will:

• Create a second mezzanine at Bethesda station to integrate the MTA Purple Line
• Rehabilitate the platform at Grosvenor-Strathmore by replacing slab edges and tiles, adding new lighting, and modifying drainage
• Maintain the raised railway across Rockville Pike/MD 355 between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Medical Center
  

Alternative transportation options

• Metro's free local and express shuttle buses operate adjacent to the impacted area on Rockville Pike/MD 355. The shuttle buses are the most direct replacement for Red line service — learn more below
• MARC train (commuter rail), June 29-Sept. 4: Providing half-price fares from their Rockville and Garrett Park stations to both Union Station and Silver Spring station (runs mornings and evenings only): MARC Train Welcomes Washington Metrorail Customers
• Metro Bus existing routes: M70 East West Hwy (Bethesda-Silver Spring), M12 University Blvd (Twinbrook-Wheaton), M42 Randolph Rd-College Park (North Bethesda-Glenmont), and M44 Randolph Rd-Hyattsville Crossing (North Bethesda-Glenmont)
• Montgomery County Ride On buses, July 6-Sept. 6: A temporary "Glenmont Express Shuttle" will run from Milestone Park & Ride Lot (Germantown) to Shady Grove station to Glenmont station — this route will provide access to customers who are traveling to the east side of the Red Line. Existing Ride On routes: Route 40 (Rockville-Wheaton) and Route 37 (Grosvenor-Wheaton)
• Biking: Capital Bikeshare will offer Montgomery County residents a free 30-day membership to utilize the Capital Bikeshare system. Click here to fill out a quick form to receive the discount code

Free shuttle service

Trains will not run from North Bethesda to Friendship Heights while this work is ongoing. All shuttle service is ADA accessible. 

The free shuttle buses will run every 5-8 minutes during Metro Rail operating hours. Seven and a half lane miles of dedicated bus lanes along Rockville Pike/MD 355 will help expedite shuttle service. Metro is working in coordination with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to implement the bus-only lanes from July 6-Sept. 6. Enforcement of the bus-only lanes will not take place prior to that time. For more information about the bus lanes, please visit MDOT's website. 

Shuttle stop locations

Resources

• System Map [Effective July 6-Sept. 6, 2026]
• Summer 2026 Red Line Major Construction Handout
• Summer 2026 Red Line Free Shuttle Stops
• May 6 Community Meeting Presentation