[RP TownTalk] Metro Update: Upcoming summer improvement projects with rail impacts & bus service changes

[Jessica Barnes]

Upcoming summer Capital Improvement Projects that will affect rail service

Metro is reminding customers to plan for two upcoming summer capital improvement projects to keep Metro on its current path of improved safety and reliability. The work will impact customers who use the Red, Orange, Blue and Silver lines.

Red Line
Metro will close two stations on the Red Line - Rhode Island Ave and Brookland - to complete structural repairs at Rhode Island Ave, Metro's oldest outdoor station. The work will begin Saturday, July 21, and continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 3. The structural work cannot be completed while trains are running on either track and will resolve platform conditions that affect the alignment between the platform and trains, presenting challenges for customers with disabilities.


*         Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland stations will be closed for 45 days, from July 21 through September 3.

*         There will be no Red Line service between Fort Totten and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations. Red Line customers should transfer to Green or Yellow line trains between Fort Totten and Gallery Place to avoid the work zone. Metro will add capacity to the Green/Yellow lines to accommodate Red Line riders, including running some Yellow Line trains to/from Greenbelt. During rush hours, Red Line trains will operate every 6 minutes between Shady Grove and NoMa-Gallaudet, and every 10 minutes between Glenmont and Fort Totten.

*         For customers traveling to/from Brookland or Rhode Island Ave stations, free shuttle buses will provide alternate service between Fort Totten, Brookland, Rhode Island Ave, and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations. In addition, Metro will operate express shuttles between Brookland and Rhode Island Ave and the areas of Metro Center, Gallery Place and Union Station.

Blue, Orange and Silver Lines
Beginning Saturday, August 11, and continuing through Sunday, August 26, Metro crews will work around the clock to rebuild the rail infrastructure in the curve, including the installation of new rail, fasteners, and repair concrete pads that support the rails. On weekdays, Orange and Silver line trains will run only once every 20 minutes at all times of the day with single tracking in effect between McPherson Square and Smithsonian. The Blue Line will run only in Virginia between Franconia-Springfield and Arlington Cemetery, and customers traveling between Virginia and DC will need to use Yellow Line trains to cross the Potomac River.


*         The capital improvement project will run from Saturday, August 11, through Sunday, August 26. For 10 commuting days, all Orange, Silver and Blue line customers are encouraged to use alternate transportation, as rail service will be significantly reduced.

*         Orange and Silver line trains will single track on weekdays between McPherson Square and Smithsonian, with trains running only every 20 minutes at all times of the day.

*         During rush hours, additional Yellow Line trains will operate every 16 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Greenbelt, in addition to Blue Line trains running every 16 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Arlington Cemetery.

*         Weekend shutdowns in this work area are currently scheduled for August 11-12 and August 25-27.
Additional details about both of these projects can be found at wmata.com<https://www.wmata.com/service/track-work.cfm/>.

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Bus service changes, including cash-free pilot, in effect

On Sunday, June 24, 2018, Metrobus began a cash-free pilot on Route 79 MetroExtra in the District of Columbia to make trips faster; new connections were added in Arundel Mills and Forestville in Maryland; and new, improved service was provided along Columbia Pike and a new bus tunnel in Rosslyn will allow better access for buses to improve on-time performance in Virginia.

Routes affected:

*         DC: 16E, 16X, 64, 70, 79, 80, 92, 94, A4, D4, D5, D8, G8, U5, U6, U7, U8, V5, W4, W9, X2, X9

*         MD: B30, C2, C4, F1, G12, G14, J1, J2, J3, J12, K12, K13, R1, R2

*         VA: 4A, 4B, 7A, 7F, 7Y, 10E, 10N, 16A, 16B, 16E, 16G, 16H, 16J, 16K, 16P, 16X, 22A, 22B, Metroway
For specific information about these changes, visit wmata.com<https://www.wmata.com/about/news/June2018-Metrobus-Service-Changes.cfm>.

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We know that this work may impact you and your organization, and we want you to be as prepared as possible. Please forward this information along to others who may be affected in your organization so that they may plan appropriately. Updated information will continue to be posted on Metro's website (wmata.com<https://www.wmata.com/service/status/details/west-hyattsville-paving.cfm>).


Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Lisa Schooley
External Relations
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

Email: lschooley at wmata.com<mailto:lschooley at wmata.com>
Direct line: (202) 962-1754

600 5th Street, NW
Room 3E-11
Washington DC 20001

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Customers are encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts, the email and text messaging alert system designed to provide bus and rail customers with improved up-to-the-minute information about planned service changes and delays. Bus customers can receive alerts and advisories regarding route-specific delays, detours, schedule changes and construction activity. Learn more about this service online<http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=5170>, or sign up today at wmata.com/MetroAlerts<http://www.wmata.com/metroalerts>.

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