Metro's Presidents Day Holiday Weekend Track Work on Schedule

Metro sent out this release about holiday track work: 

"The replacement of four rail switches at the Smithsonian Metrorail station and several maintenance projects on the Blue and Orange lines that has resulted in the closure of the Federal Triangle and Smithsonian Metrorail stations and trains sharing one track at two locations on the Red Line is progressing on schedule. The Federal Triangle and Smithsonian Metrorail stations are expected to reopen on time on Tuesday, Feb.22.

This weekend, Metro is replacing four track switches, which comprise the entire rail interlocking at the Smithsonian Metrorail station, which was a National Transportation Safety Board recommendation to improve the safety of the rail system. Metro is also repairing tunnel leaks, escalators and elevators, and making other safety improvements on the Red Line.

Free shuttle buses have been busy throughout the weekend with buses filling up as trains empty at the Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail stations. Through Sunday, Feb. 20, 41,976 people have used the shuttle buses to help complete their trips.

Metro administrative employees along with Metro Transit Police officers have been on site guiding customers from the rail platforms to the shuttle buses and answering questions. Customers are reminded to follow guidance from Metro employees and use the crosswalks to get to shuttle buses near the Metrorail stations safely.

Today the Blue and Orange lines are split in two sections. The Blue Line is operating between the Franconia-Springfield and Metro Center Metrorail stations and between the Largo Town Center and L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail stations. The Orange Line is operating between the Vienna-Fairfax/GMU and Metro Center Metrorail stations and between the New Carrollton and L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail stations.

Red Line trains are sharing one track between the Shady Grove and Twinbrook Metrorail stations as construction workers make repairs to the Rockville Metrorail station platform and trains are sharing one track between the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood and New York Avenue-Florida Avenue-Gallaudet U Metrorail stations as the agency makes repairs to the aerial structure near the Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metrorail station.

For all trains to make their final connections for the last shuttle buses at the Metro Center and L’Enfant Plaza Metrorail stations, the last passenger train on each rail line will depart each terminal station 20 minutes earlier than usual tonight. Metro advises late night riders to arrive at their station 20 to 30 minutes earlier than usual to catch the last train of the evening. 

LINE                                    MON 
Red 
Shady Grove                      11:10 p.m. 
Glenmont                           11:17 p.m. 

Blue 
Franconia-Springfield        11:09 p.m. 
Largo Town Center           11:04 p.m. 

Orange 
Vienna                                 11:05 p.m. 
New Carrollton                    11:16 p.m. 

Green 
Branch Ave.                        11:04 p.m. 
Greenbelt                            11:10 p.m. 

Yellow 
Huntington                          11:14 p.m. 
Fort Totten                          11:22 p.m.

News release issued at 9:39 am, February 21, 2011."