“Major construction on the Blue and Yellow lines is weeks away; Metro customers encouraged to plan now”

From WMATA:

“Whether you choose the free shuttle buses or an alternative rail or bus route, Metro encourages customers to begin travel planning for major construction on the Blue and Yellow lines that will result in rail service changes this fall. Starting September 10, work will begin to fix the aging Yellow Line tunnel and bridge, and advance the critical improvements necessary to open the future Potomac Yard Station later in the fall.

During the first phase, between September 10 and October 22, six Blue and Yellow line stations south of Reagan National Airport Station will be closed

to connect the new Potomac Yard Station to the existing tracks. The closed stations include Braddock Road, King Street, Van Dorn Street, Franconia-Springfield, Eisenhower Avenue, and Huntington. Following the six-week shutdown, the six closed stations will reopen; however, the Yellow Line tunnel and bridge will remain closed for additional repairs through May 2023.

All-Shuttle-Map (PDF)

Yellow Line service will not operate for the duration of the project, and trains will be rerouted through Rosslyn instead. Metro and regional transit providers will provide free bus shuttles, free parking, and other convenient travel alternatives, including additional Blue and Green line service to keep customers moving. In addition to the free shuttle service, customers will have several other free options for getting around during the six-week shutdown. Last month, the Metro Board of Directors approved free Metroway bus service and parking at Franconia-Springfield, Huntington, and Van Dorn Street stations from Sept. 10-Oct. 22. Virginia Railway Express (VRE) will also offer free service in the affected areas during September and October. The non-rider parking fee at Franconia-Springfield will be waived from September 10, 2022 until summer 2023.

Pre-construction activities are already underway on the bridge and tunnel. In the Potomac River, heavy barges are staged, and boaters are advised that a no-wake zone has been put in place in the construction area. At the L’Enfant Plaza Station, where Metro is relining the tunnel, demolition is scheduled to reinforce and waterproof the tunnel. A new steel liner will be installed requiring hundreds of steel plates to be welded together creating a protective shield. At times, the welding work and other construction activity in the tunnel may cause a noticeable odor for customers inside the station.

Service Impacts and Travel Alternatives

PHASE ONE: Sept. 10 – Oct. 22, 2022

Rail Service:

No rail service south of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station
No Yellow Line service
Yellow Line stations north of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station will be served by the Blue or Green lines
Additional Blue Line trains will operate every seven to nine minutes between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and New Carrollton stations (every 15 minutes after 9:30 p.m.)
Blue Line customers traveling between Pentagon and L’Enfant Plaza stations should plan on approximately 15 minutes of extra travel time
Green Line trains will operate every eight minutes (every 10 minutes after 9:30 p.m.)

Note: If 7000-series trains remain out of service, trains will operate less frequently

Free Shuttle Service:

Seven free bus shuttles will be offered during phase one, including local and express shuttles in Virginia and three limited-stop shuttles crossing the Potomac River.

Local shuttles will be available during all Metrorail operating hours.
Blue Line Local Local service stops at all Blue Line stations between Franconia-Springfield, Van Dorn St, King St-Old Town, Braddock Rd, and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport stations every 10-20 minutes
Yellow Line Local Local service between Huntington, Eisenhower Ave, King St-Old Town, Braddock Rd, and Crystal City stations every 10-15 minutes; No stop at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station, use Blue Line from Crystal City for travel to/from airport

Express shuttles will be available most of the day (from 4:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily, 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekends).
Blue Line Express: Franconia-Pentagon Express service between Franconia-Springfield and Pentagon stations every 6 minutes
Yellow Line Express: Huntington-Pentagon Express service between Huntington and Pentagon stations every 6 minutes

Limited shuttles will be available during weekday rush hour only.
VA-DC Shuttle 1: Crystal City-L’Enfant (6:20 a.m. – 9:25 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. – 8:10 p.m.) Service between Crystal City, Pentagon City, Smithsonian, and L’Enfant Plaza stations every 12 minutes. Shuttle does not stop at Pentagon Station
VA-DC Shuttle 2: Pentagon-Archives (6:20 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) Service between Pentagon, Smithsonian, and Archives stations every 12 minutes
VA-DC Shuttle 3: Mt. Vernon-Potomac Park (former 11Y Route) (5 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.) Service between Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, and Potomac Park every 20 minutes. Peak direction service only

PHASE TWO: Oct. 23, 2022 – May 2023

Rail Service

All stations will reopen, and service will resume south of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport Station
All Yellow Line stations will be served by the Blue or Green lines Blue Line trains will operate every 12 minutes between Largo Town Center and Franconia-Springfield stations and every 12 minutes between Huntington and New Carrollton stations (every 15 minutes after 9:30 p.m.)
Green Line trains will operate every eight minutes (every 10 minutes after 9:30 p.m.)

Note: If 7000-series trains remain out of service, trains will operate less frequently

Free Shuttle Service:

Metro will continue to provide three limited-stop bus shuttles crossing the Potomac River during weekday rush hour only.

VA-DC Shuttle 1: Crystal City-L’Enfant (6:20 a.m. – 9:25 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. – 8:10 p.m.) Service between Crystal City, Pentagon City, Smithsonian, and L’Enfant Plaza stations every 12 minutes; Shuttle does not stop at Pentagon Station
VA-DC Shuttle 2: Pentagon-Archives (6:20 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. and 3:20 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) Service between Pentagon, Smithsonian, and Archives stations every 12 minutes
VA-DC Shuttle 3: Mt. Vernon-Potomac Park (former 11Y Route) (5 a.m. – 9:15 a.m. and 3:10 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.) Service between Mt. Vernon, Alexandria, and Potomac Park every 20 minutes; peak direction service only”