Summer 2026 Red Line Major Construction
Updated: 5/15/2026
Advisory Effective: Jul 6, 2026 – Sep 6, 2026
From July 6-Sept. 6, 2026, Metro will complete major construction on the Red Line. During this period, trains will not operate between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights.
Free shuttle buses will replace trains at the following stations: Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, and Bethesda.
During this period, Red Line trains will operate every six minutes during the daytime and every ten minutes during late night service in two segments:
- Between Shady Grove and North Bethesda
- Between Friendship Heights and Glenmont
Anticipated construction activities
The construction will:
- Create a second mezzanine at Bethesda station to integrate the MTA Purple Line
- Rehabilitate the platform at Grosvenor-Strathmore by replacing slab edges and tiles, adding new lighting, and modifying drainage
- Replace the raised railway across Rockville Pike between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Medical Center
Free shuttle service
Trains will not run from North Bethesda to Friendship Heights while this work is ongoing. All shuttle service is ADA accessible.
The free shuttle buses will run every 5-8 minutes during Metro Rail operating hours. Eight lane-miles of dedicated bus lanes along two main segments of Rockville Pike/MD 355 will help expedite shuttle service. Metro is working in coordination with the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to implement the bus-only lanes.
| Shuttle type | Weekday and Weekends |
|---|---|
| Local Stops at North Bethesda, Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, Bethesda, and Friendship Heights | Average travel time between stops: 10 minutes |
| Express North Bethesda to Friendship Heights | Average travel time between stops: 26 minutes |
Exact shuttle pick-up and drop-off locations will be available closer to the start of construction.
Get in touch with Metro
Call, text, or chat
Call or text 202-GO-METRO (202-466-3876)
TTY 202-962-2033
Or chat with us.
Live Customer Support is available Monday-Friday, 7 am-8 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 8 am-8 pm.
Rider information
- Visit Rider Tools to get next train and bus information.
- Sign up for Metro Alerts to get notified about rail, bus, and access service issues via text and email.
- Download the Metro Pulse app to track real-time bus and train status, trip plan, live chat, and more.
On social media
- Follow @wmata, @metrorailinfo, and @metrobusinfo on X.
- Follow @wmata.com, @metrorailinfo, @metrobusinfo on Bluesky.
- Follow @metroforward on Instagram, @metroforward on Facebook, @metroforward on YouTube, and @wmata on TikTok.
