Metro details shuttle bus service plans for this weekend's Blue and Orange Line station closures

Metro issued this release about weekend service: 

"Metrorail will conduct significant safety and reliability work on the Blue, Orange and Red lines to comply with National Transportation Safety Board recommendations during the weekend of March 4 to 6, causing some temporary service changes for customers that will mean a safer, smoother ride once the work is complete. 

To alert customers about this work, Metro has posted signs in key stations, placed notices on station kiosks, taken out paid advertisements in newspapers, is sending e-Alerts, and making train and system announcements. Additional information is available on Metro's web site at metroopensdoors.com. 

On the Orange Line, there will be no train service between the Stadium-Armory and New Carrollton Metrorail stations and the five stations in between – Minnesota Ave, Deanwood, Cheverly, Landover and New Carrollton Metrorail stations -- will be closed from 10 p.m., Friday, March 4, to closing on Sunday, March 6. Also, there will be no Blue Line service between the Stadium-Armory and Benning Road Metrorail stations during the same time frame. The Benning Road Metrorail station will remain open. Normal service will resume on Monday, March 7. 

During the weekend, Metro will continue repairs on the aerial structure outside the Cheverly Metrorail station, make track circuit upgrades near the Deanwood Metrorail station, install 6,000 feet of cellular communication cables to ultimately improve cell phone coverage, replace 2,000 feet of old track, install 380 insulators, 1,400 new rail ties, 400 new track fasteners, make repairs to 19 escalators and 14 elevators, and fix the platform at the Minnesota Avenue Metrorail station. 

From 10 p.m., Friday, March 4, to closing (midnight) on Sunday, March 6, Metro will operate three free shuttle bus routes between the affected stations. The weekend’s free shuttle buses will operate to meet each train.

Riders are able to choose between three free shuttle bus routes depending on where they want to go. By offering these convenient bus services, Metro is aiming to maximize rider convenience. Free shuttle bus service will get riders where they want to go. It will just take longer. The weekend’s free shuttle buses will operate to meet each train. 

• Blue Line Shuttle: Stadium-Armory to Benning Road. This shuttle bus will operate between the Stadium-Armory (bus bay C) and Benning Road (corner of Benning Road and Central Avenue) Metrorail stations. Customers catching this shuttle should add 15 to 20 minutes to their trips. 

• Orange Line Express Shuttle: Stadium-Armory to New Carrollton. This express shuttle bus will operate between the Stadium-Armory (bus bay C) and New Carrollton (bus bays D, E and F) Metrorail stations with no stops in between. Customers catching this shuttle should add 30 minutes to their trips. 

• Orange Line Local Shuttle: Stadium-Armory to New Carrollton. This local shuttle bus will operate between the Stadium-Armory (bus bay C) and New Carrollton Metrorail stations and will stop at the Minnesota Avenue (bus bay G), Deanwood (bus bay A), Cheverly (bus bay C), Landover (bus bay D) and New Carrollton (bus bays D, E and F) Metrorail stations. Customers catching this shuttle should add 40 minutes to their trips. 

During the weekend, extra Metro employees will be available at the Stadium-Armory, Benning Road, Minnesota Ave, Deanwood, Cheverly, Landover and New Carrollton Metrorail stations to help customers navigate around the weekend closure using the free shuttle bus service. 

The Trip Planner on Metro’s Web site will not reflect the impact of this work on its schedules. For more information on traveling by Metrobus or Metrorail, customers may call (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780, or visit metroopensdoors.com 

Metro has a six-year, $5 billion Capital Improvement Program (CIP) that is focused on safety and maintaining the Metro system in a state of good repair. In FY2012, the CIP includes projects such as the replacement of 100 Metrobuses and the rehabilitation of 100 more; retrofitting track; replacing track circuitry, signs and chain markers on the right of way; rehabilitating third rail, running rail and track pads; rehabilitating 12 Metrorail stations; purchasing 150 new police radios; replacing escalators; rehabilitating three bus garages; and installing 30 track turnouts. "