Frequently Asked Questions

About the Project

Rail Service

Shuttle Bus Service

Bus Service

Parking & Biking

Fares

Accessibility

About the Project

Why is the work necessary?

The Potomac Yard prep work (Sept. 10-Nov. 5, 2022) is necessary to connect, or "tie in," the future Potomac Yard Station to the Metrorail system. The eight-month Yellow Line work (Sept. 10-May 2023) is necessary to rehabilitate the Yellow Line Bridge spanning the Potomac River and repair the steel-lined tunnel between Pentagon and L'Enfant Plaza stations, dating back to Metro's original construction more than 40 years ago.

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What are the customer impacts?

Sept. 10 - Nov. 5, 2022

During the Potomac Yard prep work, six stations south of Reagan National Airport on the Yellow and Blue lines will be closed from Sept. 10 - Nov. 5, 2022. There will be no Yellow Line service, but Yellow Line stations north of Reagan National Airport will be accessible via the Blue or Green lines. Free local and express shuttle bus service will be available between the closed stations seven days a week. Additionally, limited-stop shuttles will be available between Pentagon and downtown Metro Center and Crystal City and Metro Center.

Nov. 5, 2022 - May 2023

After Nov. 5, rail service will resume south of Reagan National Airport, and no stations will be closed. There will be no Yellow Line service, but Yellow Line stations will be accessible via the Blue or Green lines. In addition to regular Blue Line service to Franconia-Springfield, every other Blue Line train will begin/end at Huntington and New Carrollton stations. Limited-stop shuttle bus service will continue to be available between Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C., with service between Pentagon and Metro Center, Crystal City and Metro Center, and Mt. Vernon and Potomac Park.

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Will there be noise associated with construction?

Metro and its contractors developed a construction strategy for completing the Potomac Yard Station as quickly and safely as possible. This plan includes shifts working around the clock at the station, generating noise at various times of day and night.

We regret any discomfort and inconvenience caused by the work. Customers with additional questions or concerns about noise should contact Metro Customer Service at 202-637-1328 or submit a customer comment here.

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Why does repairing the Yellow Line Tunnel and Bridge take so long?

Over the past year, Metro developed the design and conducted numerous site investigations, providing a better understanding of the complexities of the project.

Although the project scope includes Yellow Line bridge bearing and expansion joint replacement, the tunnel work presents the most significant challenges and requires an eight-month closure.

To repair the tunnel, crews must weld approximately 1,200 steel plates, grout the entire exterior surface of the steel-lined tunnel, remove and replace several miles of existing cables that line the walls of the tunnel, replace existing light fixtures, remove and reinstall the existing fire suppression system, and install a multiple-stage coating system to protect the steel liner for years to come.

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Are the tunnel and bridge safe to use before the project begins?

Yes, the tunnel and bridge are safe to use. The work needed to rehabilitate both is necessary as both structures near the end of their useful life expectancy.

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Will there be noise, smells, or other impacts associated with construction?

Customers may hear distant noise from construction equipment and may smell a burning odor in L'Enfant Plaza Station from welding activities. Construction will not be visible to customers. There will not be any preconstruction impacts to customers.

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When is Potomac Yard Station going to open?

The Potomac Yard Station will open in 2023. The planned prep work from Sept. 10 - Nov. 5, is an important milestone in opening the station. After the prep work is completed, trains will pass through the station without stopping until the station opens to the public.

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When will the Yellow Line tunnel and bridge work be completed?

Yellow Line tunnel and bridge improvements are expected to be completed and Yellow Line service will resume in May 2023.

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How can I receive the most recent project information?

Metro will share project updates throughout the project. Stay in the know and sign up for project updates.

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Rail Service

Why will Blue and Yellow Line service terminate at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport?

It is necessary for these Blue and Yellow Line stations to close in order to connect the track to the mainline system, as well as performing safe brake testing.  During the six-week shutdown, there will be no Yellow Line service, but Yellow Line stations north of Reagan National Airport will be accessible via the Blue and Green lines.

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What will be my travel options while my station is closed without rail service? Where can I learn more?

Free local and express shuttle bus service will be provided at all the closed stations. Visit the Alternative Travel Options page for information about free shuttle bus routes and other convenient travel options.

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What other options are available?

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is a good option for customers in the corridor, with stations at Franconia, King Street, Crystal City, and points further south. You can find additional regional transportation options on the Northern Virginia Service map.

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Where can I find information about other station closures and track work in the Metrorail system?

For all upcoming scheduled closures, track work, and other service impacts, visit wmata.com/trackwork.

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What happens if ridership increases while the Yellow Line stations are closed?

  • The service plan will accommodate pre-pandemic weekday ridership levels.
  • Trains will operate every 12 minutes (six minutes at stations served by two lines (King St-Old Town, for example).
  • Free shuttle bus service between Virginia-DC will also help alleviate crowding on Metrorail.

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Shuttle Bus Service

What are my travel options while my station is closed without rail service? Where can I learn more?

Free local and express shuttle buses will be provided with stops at all closed stations. Visit the Alternative Travel Options page for information about free shuttle bus routes, convenient travel options, and Northern Virginia supplemental service to plan ahead.

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Will shuttle bus information be available on Metro's Trip Planner and other third-party apps and websites?

The Trip Planner will be updated with shuttle bus and rail service information to ensure accurate trip planning. Once the Trip Planner is updated, third-party apps and websites will use that data to update their information.

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What will be the hours of operation and frequencies for the free shuttle bus service?

Hours of Operation

Local shuttle bus service will operate during all hours the rail system is open, express shuttle bus service will be available from 4:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., and limited shuttle bus service will be available during rush hours only (5 a.m. -9:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. -7 p.m.).

Frequencies

  • Local service operates every 15-20 minutes
  • Express service operates 10-15 minutes
  • Limited service operates 12-20 minutes

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What will the shuttle buses look like?

Standard Metrobuses and coach (tour) buses will be used on all shuttle routes. The destination will be listed on the signage on the front of the bus.

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Will the shuttle buses be free?

Yes, Metro's shuttle bus service will be free. Customers do not need to use or show their SmarTrip® card to board the shuttle buses.

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Bus Service

Will there be any changes to the current local bus service at the closed stations?

The service frequency will not change for any local bus routes. If there are any impacts to the bus stops, signage will be posted at each impacted bus stop.

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Parking & Biking

Will I be able to take my bike on the shuttle buses?

Yes, bicycles can be stowed in the luggage compartment of the coach buses and transported on the front racks of regular Metrobuses.

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Will I still have to pay for parking at the closed stations?

Parking will be free for Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn, and Huntington stations from Sept. 10 - Nov. 5, 2022. The non-rider parking fee will be waived at Franconia-Springfield Station for the duration of the project (Sept. 10-May 2023).

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Fares

Will the shuttle buses be free?

Yes, Metro's shuttle bus service will be free. Customers do not need to use or show a SmarTrip® card to board the shuttle buses.

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How will I be able to load my SmarTrip® card if the station is closed?

Customers are encouraged to reload their SmarTrip® card online, set up Auto Reload or use the SmarTrip app. For an alternative way to pay, customers can add their SmarTrip to their Apple Wallet or Google Pay and pay using their Android phone, iPhone or Apple Watch. Customers will also be able to load SmarTrip cards at any Metro station.

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Accessibility

Will the shuttle buses and bus stops be accessible?

All shuttle buses (standard Metrobuses and coach buses) will be accessible.

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Will the pedestrian access at Huntington and Franconia-Springfield remain available?

Yes, access at a Franconia-Springfield and Huntington will remain available during the station closures.

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Will service animals be allowed on the shuttle buses?

Service animals that assist people with disabilities will be permitted on the shuttle buses, as they are on Metrorail and Metrobus.

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Will bilingual staff be available provide information and assistance to customers?

Bilingual Metro staff will be at the closed stations to provide information and assistance to customers.

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