Red Line Project To Affect Metro Service In Silver Spring

SILVER SPRING, MD — Metro will soon start a huge Red Line capital improvement project that will halt Red Line operation between Silver Spring and Fort Totten and shutter Takoma Station from Saturday, Nov. 25 to Sunday, Dec. 10.

The project involves the complete replacement of a mainline interlocking, a location where trains cross from one track to the other, Metro officials said.

During the project, Red Line trains will operate in two segments: between Shady Grove and Fort Totten, and between Glenmont and Silver Spring. Free shuttle buses will also provide limited service between Silver Spring, Takoma and Fort Totten stations.

Metro officials will work on a four-mile section of track. The project requires both tracks to be taken out of service simultaneously because of the complicated process of rebuilding the interlocking, upgrading signals, replacing rail ties and installing more than 800 feet of new rail, a press release states.

The project also includes the installation of new power cables, grout pad replacement, leak mitigation and additional preventive maintenance.

The work will impact ten community days, scheduled between Thanksgiving and the winter holidays when ridership is lighter, Metro officials said. Service on the Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow and Green lines will continue to operate normally.

Detailed service information:

On weekdays and the weekends of November 25-26 and December 9-10, buses will replace trains between Silver Spring, Takoma and Fort Totten stations.

Red Line trains will operate in two segments:

• Glenmont - Silver Spring every 12 minutes
• Shady Grove - Fort Totten every 10 minutes (every 5 minutes between Grosvenor and NoMa-Gallaudet during weekday peak periods)
• After 9:30 p.m. trains will operate every 15 minutes.

Customers who normally use Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton or Glenmont are strongly encouraged to use other Red Line stations, travel during off-peak times or consider alternate travel options.

On the weekend of Dec. 2-3, the work zone will be extended to Glenmont to accommodate the installation of radio communication cables and additional preventive maintenance, Metro officials said. Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring will be closed during this time period. Customers traveling between Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring stations should consider using regular Y- or Q-line Metrobus service along Georgia Ave.

Red Line customers traveling to/from downtown may also wish to consider taking the MARC Brunswick Line from Rockville, Kensington or Silver Spring to Union Station and transfer to the Red Line.

Additional information and travel alternatives can be found on wmata.com on the upcoming track work page, or for assistance customers may call Metro Customer Service at 202-637-7000.

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