UPDATE: Rhode Island Avenue Station to remain closed through end-of-day Sunday as structural inspections continue

After initial assessment of the structural soundness of Rhode Island Avenue Station following two incidents of falling concrete and a metal bracket, Metro is advising customers that the station will remain closed through the end of the day Sunday, September 4, 2016 to complete a top-to-bottom inspection and allow for necessary repairs.

The station will reopen and normal service on the Red Line is expected to resume when Metrorail opens at 7 a.m. Monday morning.

Customers traveling to or from Rhode Island Avenue should allow additional travel time or seek alternate transportation options. Red Line trains will bypass the station and free shuttle bus service will be provided between Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland stations.

The metal bracket and concrete debris that fell on Wednesday night was utilized to fill an approximate 6” gap between the beam that supports the platform and the escalator support frame. While the bracket does not serve as a primary structural support, the bolts that secured the bracket deteriorated likely due to exposure to environmental elements. Repairs were made overnight and Red Line service was restored Thursday morning.

Subsequently, station personnel on Thursday evening reported small pieces of concrete falling from the station ceiling about 40 feet away from the previous location. After the second incident, a third-party expert was engaged to conduct a more robust inspection to ensure that the structure is sound and does not present a hazard to the riding public.

In the interest of safety and out of an abundance of caution, the station will remain closed while around-the-clock efforts continue through the weekend to complete a thorough inspection of the station and repair any damage. 

Utilizing tall cranes and man lifts, scaffolding and other specialized equipment, work crews will:

• Complete inspections of the station mezzanine, platform overhangs, columns and beams 
• Remove and replace all loose concrete identified during third-party inspections 
• Install safety/debris netting along the entire length of the station 
• Install safety/debris netting in the bus loop area of the station 

Metro will continue to provide updates directly to customers via MetroAlerts email and text messages, as well as on Twitter @metrorailinfo. To sign up for MetroAlerts, visit wmata.com/metroalerts.

News release issued at 3:30 pm, September 2, 2016