“Weekend track work and maintenance on the Red Line to close four stations”

photo by Pablo Raw

From WMATA:

“This weekend, Sept. 16 – 17, Metro will close four stations on the Red Line to perform track work in the interlocking, where the two tracks intersect and is critical to maintaining safe reliable service. To accommodate this work the Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook, and North Bethesda stations will be closed, with free shuttle buses replacing trains.

Normal Red Line service will operate between Glenmont and Grosvenor, every eight minutes during the day, and every 10 minutes after 9 p.m.

During the weekend, Metro will replace the switches in the interlocking outside the Twinbrook Station. The switches and equipment in the interlocking are part of the signaling system embedded on the tracks to ensure trains are routed properly and can safely cross over from one track to the other in the event of a service disruption or single tracking.

Metro is also planning additional work between these stations to install fiber-optic cables to upgrade the radio and signal capabilities, laying the necessary groundwork for future infrastructure needs such as Communications-Based Train Control.

The shutdown will also allow maintenance teams to remove and install new rail, replace rail ties that support and provide stability to the tracks, and make repairs to damaged fencing that helps to keep out trespassers.

The work will begin overnight after the system closes on Friday, continuing through the weekend. Free shuttle buses will be provided for customers from Shady Grove to Grosvenor during normal Metrorail operating hours. Customers may also want to consider using Metrorail from the Grosvenor Station as an alternative, where Metro parking is available for free on the weekends.

Normal Red Line service will resume, and all stations will reopen by the start of normal service Monday morning, September 18, at 5 a.m.”