SafeTrack

What is SafeTrack?

SafeTrack is an accelerated track work plan to address safety recommendations and rehabilitate the Metrorail system to improve safety and reliability. Through SafeTrack, Metro will complete approximately three years' worth of work into approximately one year. The plan significantly expands maintenance time on weeknights, weekends and midday hours and includes 16 "Safety Surges" - long duration track outages for major projects in key parts of the system.

Why is SafeTrack necessary?

Metrorail is currently open 135 out of 168 hours per week, leaving insufficient time for maintenance and other necessary track work. By closing the system at midnight on weekends and expanding weekday maintenance opportunities, SafeTrack addresses FTA and NTSB safety recommendations and deferred maintenance backlogs while restoring track infrastructure to good health. In addition the 16 "Safety Surges" will utilize long-duration track outages through around-the-clock single tracking or line-segment shutdowns that will impact rush hour commutes.

How will SafeTrack impact my commute?

Due to reduced capacity and expected longer travel times, Metrorail riders are encouraged to consider using alternate travel options while safety surge work is scheduled on their line. Trains and platforms may be extremely crowded during peak periods and customers may experience extended delays. Review the links below for more information about each surge project and potential impacts on your commute.

Completed SafeTrack surges & progress reports

Date Duration Lines Impact Area Affected
June 4 - 16 13 days Orange Line Silver Line Continuous Single Track East Falls Church to Ballston
Progress Report
June 18 - July 3 16 days Orange Line Blue Line Silver Line Line Segment Shutdown Eastern Market to Minnesota Ave & Benning Road
Progress Report
July 5 - 11
*Starts 8pm July 5
7 days Yellow Line Blue Line Line Segment Shutdown National Airport to Braddock Road
Progress Report
July 12 - 18 7 days Yellow Line Blue Line Line Segment Shutdown Pentagon City to National Airport
Progress Report
July 20 - 31 12 days Orange Line Silver Line Continuous Single Track East Falls Church to Ballston
Progress Report
August 1 - 7 7 days Red Line Continuous Single Track Takoma to Silver Spring
Progress Report
August 9 - 21 13 days Red Line Continuous Single Track; weekend line segment shutdown Shady Grove to Twinbrook
Progress Report
August 27 - September 11 16 days Yellow Line Blue Line Continuous Single Track; weekend line segment shutdown Franconia-Springfield to Van Dorn Street
Progress Report
September 15 - October 26 42 days Orange Line Continuous Single Track; weekend line segment shutdown Vienna to West Falls Church
Progress Report
October 29 - November 22 25 days Red Line Line Segment Shutdown Fort Totten to NoMa
Progress Report
November 28 - December 20 23 days Orange Line Silver Line Continuous Single Track East Falls Church to West Falls Church
Progress Report
February 11 - 28 18 days Blue Line Line Segment Shutdown Rosslyn to Pentagon
Progress Report
March 4 - April 12
40 days Blue Line Yellow Line Continuous Single Track Braddock Rd to Huntington/Van Dorn St
Progress Report
April 15-May 14
30 days
Green Line Line Segment Shutdown
Greenbelt to College Park/Prince George's Plaza

Progress Report

May 16 - June 15 31 days Orange Line Line Segment Shutdown New Carrollton to Stadium-Armory

Progress Report

June 17 - 25 9 days Red Line Line Segment Shutdown Shady Grove to Twinbrook

Progress Report