photo by Miki Jourdan
From WMATA:
“Metrorail customers will be back on track south of Reagan National Airport with full service resuming to six closed stations on Sunday, Nov. 6. Blue Line trains will serve all six stations – Braddock Rd, King St-Old Town, Eisenhower Ave, Huntington, Van Dorn St, and Franconia-Springfield – while long-term work continues to rehabilitate the Yellow Line Tunnel and Bridge.
Metro is also making progress on the Yellow Line Tunnel and Bridge Rehabilitation Project which began during the closure. The Yellow Line will remain suspended through May 2023,
while these critical tunnel and bridge repairs continue. Instead, the reopened stations will be served by additional Blue Line service. Trains will run every 15 minutes between Franconia-Springfield and Largo on the Blue Line, with Blue Plus service operating every 15 minutes between Huntington and New Carrollton.
The eight-week closure, which began Sept. 10, allowed Metro’s project teams to relocate 2,000 feet of existing tracks and connect to the new tracks through the new Potomac Yard Station. Additional work included the installation and testing of traction power and automatic train control infrastructure crucial to powering trains and ensuring safe operations. Major construction is now complete, as well as train testing which involved running test trains without passengers throughout the station.
“Watching the test trains go through the station reminds us we are nearing the finish line of this large and significant capital project that will serve the region for decades to come,” said General Manager Randy Clarke. “We thank our customers and partners for their patience as the team ensures we provide the safest and best experience for this beautiful station.”
As the Potomac Yard Station gets closer to the end line, more work is needed prior to opening in 2023. Crews continue working to complete construction of the east retaining wall, paving the access roads, installing interior features at the station, such as modern fare gates, fare machines, and the station manager kiosk.
Updates to Shuttle Service, Metroway, and Parking
Metro will continue to offer three free rush-hour shuttles to and from Virginia and Washington, D.C. to help customers navigate the Yellow Line Bridge closure
Metroway service will resume fare collection
Parking fees will resume at Franconia-Springfield, Huntington, and Van Dorn St stations
The non-rider parking fee at Franconia-Springfield will continue to be waived until May 2023
Service Information and Travel Alternatives
Dates: Nov. 6, 2022 – May 2023
Rail Service:
All Metrorail stations will be open
Trains will run through the new Potomac Yard Station, but will not stop or service the station
No Yellow Line service
All Yellow Line stations will be served by the Blue or Green lines
Blue Line service between Franconia-Springfield and New Carrollton, with every other Blue Line train operating between Huntington and New Carrollton
Free Shuttle Service:
Metro will provide three free VA-DC rush-hour shuttles on weekdays.
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”