Metro to reopen two Orange and Silver line stations, second phase of Orange Line work continues through July 16

Published: 06/22/2023

Orange Line rail replacement

Metro crews are nearing the finish line to reopen two stations and restore normal Silver Line service following construction to lay down miles of new rail and fiber-optic cables. Beginning Monday, June 26, trains will resume service to the East Falls Church and West Falls Church stations.

This is the first of a two-phase rail replacement project on the Orange and Silver lines. The second phase continues on the Orange Line only through July 16, with the Vienna and Dunn Loring stations remaining closed.

Since the project began earlier this month, Metro teams have been working around the clock to get the job done. Nearly 1800 tons of rail, each piece stretching the length of a platform, were brought in and the old rail removed. Workers then put down the new rail, joining together each section, piece-by- piece, with 220 welds to form one continuous welded rail. Installation also required rail destressing under compressive force to withstand the rigors of extreme temperatures.

"Our team has made great progress on this work so far. As of last week, our team has replaced 15.5 miles of track, installed nearly 36 miles of fiber-optic cable, replaced two diamond interlockings, and installed 13 new switch machines," said Metro Chief of Infrastructure Andy Off. "They are working to keep the system safe and reliable, and we thank our customers and visitors to the area for their understanding and patience."

The closure also provided the opportunity to clear vegetation along or adjacent to the tracks that could pose a hazard, impede line of sight and cause service disruptions. Crews removed more than 42,000 linear feet of trees, bushes, grasses, and invasive vines that if not addressed risk causing drainage issues or may lead to damage in severe weather.

During the next phase, Metro will continue rail replacement and fiber-optic installation between Vienna and West Falls Church to ensure safety and increase customer reliability.

Free shuttle bus service will be available for customers during the closures. Customers are advised to allow extra time for their travel. In addition to prominent signage and announcements in the stations and on trains, additional Metro staff will be available to assist customers at the affected stations.

Customers will continue to have normal or near normal service outside the work zones, with frequent service on the busiest parts of the system in the downtown core area at stations served by multiple lines. Between Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory and between L'Enfant Plaza and Mt Vernon Sq, trains will arrive at stations every 4-6 minutes all day.

Metro's 2023 Major Construction initiative is focused on maintenance and rail technology upgrades necessary to maintain safe, reliable service for customers. In May, roofing work was completed on the Orange Line at Minnesota Ave, Deanwood and Cheverly stations.

Following the rail replacement project on the remaining Orange Line section, construction will move to the Green Line for fiber-optic cable installation. The cables run down the center of the tracks and replacing them will require Metro to close stations between Fort Totten and Greenbelt July 22 - Sept. 4.

Visit wmata.com/2023majorconstruction for complete information, including travel alternatives, for upcoming planned construction work.

SERVICE INFORMATION:

Vienna – West Falls Church: June 26-July 16, 2023

Station Closures: Vienna, Dunn Loring

Free local shuttle service available during Metrorail operating hours.

  • Orange Line Shuttle: Local service between Vienna, Dunn Loring, and West Falls Church
    • Service every 10-20 minutes
  • Orange Line Express: Express service between Vienna and West Falls Church
    • Service every 8-15 minutes on weekdays

Customers should expect longer wait times during rush hours due to the volume of customers.

Rail Service

  • Daytime and weekends: Orange Line trains every 10 minutes between West Falls Church and New Carrollton.
  • Late night (after 9:30 p.m.): Orange Line trains every 15 minutes between West Falls Church and New Carrollton.
  • In the downtown core area, customers will continue to find frequent service at stations served by multiple lines.
    • Trains will operate at stations every 4 minutes between Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory.
    • Trains will operate every 4 minutes between L'Enfant Plaza and Mt Vernon Sq.
  • Between East Falls Church and Rosslyn, trains will operate every 6 minutes.

Bus Options

Vienna

  • Metrobus 1A to Ballston-MU
  • Metrobus 2B to Dunn Loring
  • Fairfax Connector 698 - Service between Vienna and Pentagon (rush-hour only)

Dunn Loring

  • Metrobus 1B to Ballston-MU
  • Metrobus 2A to East Falls Church & Ballston-MU
  • Metrobus 2B to Vienna
  • Fairfax Connector 401/402 to Tysons

Other Options

Fairfax Connector (Weekday rush-hour service only; eastbound in a.m., westbound in p.m.)

  • 697 Service between Stringfellow Road Park & Ride and L'Enfant Plaza
  • 699 Service between Fairfax County Government Center, Fairfax Corner, US Department of State, and Foggy Bottom

OmniRide

  • 601 Service between Manassas, Farragut Square, and McPherson Square
  • 602 Service between Manassas and Pentagon
  • 611 Service between Gainesville, Farragut Square, and McPherson Square
  • 612 Service between Gainesville, Pentagon, Smithsonian, and Navy Yard
  • 60 Service between Manassas and Tysons
  • 61 Service between Gainesville and Tysons

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