Metro SafeTrack Surge #3, 4 Underway for Blue and Yellow Line Commutes

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The Metro's SafeTrack Surge #3 begins Tuesday, July 5 and will impact the commutes of Blue and Yellow line riders. SafeTrack accelerates three years of track repairs into less than a year by significantly expanding maintenance work.

During each surge, trains and platforms are expected to be extremely crowded during peak periods and customers may experience extended delays. Alternate travel options are encouraged.

SafeTrack’s 15 "Safety Surges" – long-duration track outages for major projects in key parts of the system – will cause delays throughout the region. The following surges will impact Alexandria travelers:

• SURGE #3: July 5 - July 11:
  • No Metrorail service on the Blue and Yellow Lines between the Braddock Road and National Airport Metro Stations.
• SURGE #4: July 12 – 18:
  • No Metrorail service on the Blue and Yellow Lines between the National Airport and Pentagon City Metro Stations.

There will be a line segment shutdown between National Airport and Braddock Road from Tuesday, July 5 through Monday, July 11. Here's what to expect:

Blue Line will operate in two segments

• Trains will run every 15 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Braddock Road.
• Trains will run every 12 minutes between National Airport and Largo.

Yellow Line will operate in two segments

• Trains will run every 12 minutes between Huntington and Braddock Rd.
• Trains will run every 12 minutes between National Airport and Greenbelt.

Also be aware from July 5-11:

• NO YELLOW RUSH PLUS SERVICE
• FREE shuttle buses between Braddock Rd and National Airport.
• Service between DC and Reagan National Airport available via train.
• FREE shuttle buses will operate via Metroway between Braddock Road, Crystal City and Pentagon City.
• FREE shuttle buses will operate between Braddock Road and Pentagon City.
• Blue/Yellow customers are encouraged to consider alternate travel options and avoid traveling during rush hour if possible; expect significant crowding on Blue and Yellow line trains.

Weekend train frequencies may change to coordinate with other planned track work on the Metrorail system. Weekend service information is posted in the Alerts & Advisories section

Customers are encouraged to use Metroway to increase capacity and options for travel between areas surrounding Braddock Road, Potomac Yard, Crystal City and Pentagon City stations.

Tap your SmarTrip card each time you enter and exit the Metrorail system. Riders traveling through the work zone will be charged for a single, continuous trip.

• FREE DASH bus service will run on the AT3 & AT4 routes during Surges 3 and 4. The AT3 & AT4 will provide a direct connection between Braddock & Pentagon Metro Stations. Service will operate every 20 minutes from 5 AM – 8 PM.
• FREE high-frequency express shuttle buses will run between the Braddock Road and Pentagon City Metro Stations during Surges 3 and 4 to accommodate commuters on the Blue and Yellow Lines.
• FREE shuttle buses will run between the Braddock Road Metro Station and National Airport during Surge 3 and between the Pentagon City Metro Station and National Airport during Surge 4.
• FREE and increased frequency service on Metroway will run between the Braddock Road and Pentagon City Metro Stations during Surges 3 and 4.
• Fairfax Connector and Metrobus express shuttle buses will be provided between Franconia Springfield Metro Station and Pentagon Transit Center during Surges 3 and 4.
• Metrobus will increase the frequency of service on the 11Y (Mount Vernon to Potomac Park) and 10A (Huntington Metrorail Station to Pentagon Metrorail Station) bus routes, with normal fares during Surges 3 and 4.
• For information on other bus service changes by Metro and other jurisdictions, visit Metro's website.

Alternate commuting options:

BIKE

• The City of Alexandria is adding four new Capital Bikeshare stations prior to Surges 3 and 4, for a total of 24 citywide. Additional Bikeshare capacity is being added at the Braddock Road Metro Station.
• Capital Bikeshare has added an option for users to buy a single trip for $2.00.
• The City of Alexandria staff and volunteers will lead morning "bike trains" during Surges 3 and 4, to guide groups of cyclists between the Braddock Road and Pentagon City Metro Stations.

ROADS

• New carsharing and taxi areas will be added at the Braddock Road Metro Station.
• In order to accommodate additional bus capacity, the City of Alexandria will temporarily prohibit street parking around Metro stations affected by surges, and will restrict some street sections to buses only. Please be alert for new traffic signs and patterns.
• The City has adjusted its 2016-2017 paving schedule to avoid work on major roads that may coincide with SafeTrack surges, and has asked private utility companies to do the same for scheduled maintenance.
• The Alexandria Police Department will provide additional traffic control at key intersections impacted by the surges.
• The City of Alexandria’s Traffic Management Center will be fully staffed and ready to assist and adjust traffic signal timing based on traffic needs.

TELEWORK

• The City is reaching out to employers, businesses, and retailers to encourage teleworking and flexible work schedules. The City Manager has directed all City departments to expand telework and alternate work schedules for City employees.

PHOTO: Metro photo