Metro advises of temporary changes to late-night service at two Blue Line stations to minimize impact of ongoing building construction
Update: Pre-cast panel installation was completed ahead of schedule. As of January 31, 3022 single tracking is no longer needed for construction activity and normal late-night service has resumed unless absent additional scheduled track work.
As Metro continues construction of new offices at Eisenhower Avenue, additional changes are being implemented that will reduce the impact of ongoing service adjustments necessary to accommodate safety requirements for construction.
Beginning Monday, October 4 and continuing through Friday, March 11, Metro will adjust late-night service to two Blue Line stations – Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street. The change will allow Metro to operate normal late-night service on the Yellow Line and to all other Blue Line stations rather than current reduced train frequencies on both lines.
Work will take place through the overnight hours Monday through Thursday, and some Fridays as needed starting at 9 p.m. During this time, Blue Line trains will single track between Braddock Rd and Van Dorn Street stations. Trains will arrive and depart Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street every 30 minutes only, with additional Blue Line trains operating every 30 minutes from Huntington to provide normal service to the rest of the Blue Line. Train service on the Yellow Line will continue to operate on a normal late-night schedule.
The service adjustments are necessary due to the proximity of the building near the Metrorail tracks between the Blue and Yellow lines near Eisenhower Avenue Station. While the work will not encroach over the track bed, the construction activity includes heavy equipment, tower cranes and rigging, which requires safe access near the tracks.
Metro’s 14-story office building is being constructed as part of Metro’s office consolidation plan that will save an estimated $130 million over 20 years by reducing the number of Metro office buildings from 10 to four.
The late-night single tracking will allow Metro’s contractor to lift 143 precast concrete panels and 98 glazing panels into place, some weighing as much as 10 tons, on the northwest corner of the building closest to the Metrorail tracks. Additional safety measures will also be in place to ensure the work does not impede rail service or encroach upon the track closest to the building during construction.
SERVICE INFORMATION
When:
- October 4, 2021 through March 11, 2022
- Monday – Thursday and Fridays as necessary
- 9 p.m. until closing
- No single tracking November 1 – 5, 2021
Service:
- Blue Line trains will single track between Braddock Rd and Van Dorn St.
- Trains every 30 minutes to/from Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn St
- Additional Blue Line trains every 30 minutes to/from Huntington, providing normal service to all other Blue Line stations from King St-Old Town to Largo Town Center.
Schedule subject to change due to inclement weather or other events and may require construction on additional Fridays not currently scheduled.
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