Major construction on the Blue and Yellow lines is weeks away; Metro customers encouraged to plan now

During the first phase, between September 10 and October 22, six Blue and Yellow line stations south of Reagan National Airport Station will be closed to connect the new Potomac Yard Station to the existing tracks. The closed stations include Braddock Road, King Street, Van Dorn Street, Franconia-Springfield, Eisenhower Avenue, and Huntington. Following the six-week shutdown, the six closed stations will reopen; however, the Yellow Line tunnel and bridge will remain closed for additional repairs through May 2023. 

Yellow Line service will not operate for the duration of the project, and trains will be rerouted through Rosslyn instead. Metro and regional transit providers will provide free bus shuttles, free parking, and other convenient travel alternatives, including additional Blue and Green line service to keep customers moving. In addition to the free shuttle service, customers will have several other free options for getting around during the six-week shutdown. Last month, the Metro Board of Directors approved free Metroway bus service and parking at Franconia-Springfield, Huntington, and Van Dorn Street stations from Sept. 10-Oct. 22. Virginia Railway Express (VRE) will also offer free service in the affected areas during September and October. The non-rider parking fee at Franconia-Springfield will be waived from September 10, 2022 until summer 2023. 

Pre-construction activities are already underway on the bridge and tunnel. In the Potomac River, heavy barges are staged, and boaters are advised that a no-wake zone has been put in place in the construction area. At the L’Enfant Plaza Station, where Metro is relining the tunnel, demolition is scheduled to reinforce and waterproof the tunnel. A new steel liner will be installed requiring hundreds of steel plates to be welded together creating a protective shield. At times, the welding work and other construction activity in the tunnel may cause a noticeable odor for customers inside the station. 

Rail Service: 

 

Seven free bus shuttles will be offered during phase one, including local and express shuttles in Virginia and three limited-stop shuttles crossing the Potomac River. 

PHASE TWO: Oct. 23, 2022 – May 2023 

Note: If 7000-series trains remain out of service, trains will operate less frequently 

Free Shuttle Service: 

Metro will continue to provide three limited-stop bus shuttles crossing the Potomac River during weekday rush hour only. 

Additional Resources 

Metro will keep customers and stakeholders informed at wmata.com/majorconstruction. Customers, stakeholders, and the media are encouraged to sign up on the website to receive the latest project updates. 

Metro will connect new tracks to “tie in” the new Potomac Yard Station to the Metrorail system and ensure proper signal integration. This six-week project will require the closure of six Blue and Yellow line stations south of Ronald Reagan National Airport through Oct. 22. Potomac Yard Station is expected to open later this fall after additional testing and training are completed. 

A major rehab of the Yellow Line tunnel near L’Enfant Plaza Station and the bridge across the Potomac River will begin at the same time as the Potomac Yard Station tie in and continue for eight months. Metro’s chief engineer has identified the steel-lined tunnel near L’Enfant Plaza as the agency’s top structural priority, with repairs needed to stop water intrusion and strengthen the tunnel lining. Metro will also remove and replace miles of critical communications cables used by multiple jurisdictions and repair the Yellow Line bridge during the closure. 

Metro is investing in system safety, reliability and the region's economy through its 10-year, $15 billion capital program. For the first time in Metro's history, the capital program is bolstered by dedicated funding from Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The capital program will improve the customer experience and keep the region's infrastructure in a state of good repair by investing in new railcars and buses; improving stations and platforms; upgrading fire-suppression and emergency response systems; replacing and repairing tracks, tunnels, bridges, signals, and communications systems; rebuilding decades-old bus garages; and providing modern customer amenities such as passenger information systems. Local taxpayer dollars fund these important capital projects that allow Metro to reinvest in the regional economy, creating jobs and encouraging participation from disadvantaged, minority-owned, and small businesses in the region.