WASHINGTON — A day off from rush hour work, a major impact on a different group of Red Line riders, and some ways around the latest Metro work zone are among the five things for Metro riders to know this week.
1. No scheduled rush-hour work Monday
Last week’s work zone wraps up Sunday night, but the new work zone at the other end of the Red Line does not begin until Tuesday as equipment is moved into place. That means riders on Monday do not have to worry about any impacts from scheduled 24/7 track work.
Keep in mind that even when Metro is not doing round-the-clock work, there may be single-tracking in some areas for other work during the middle of the day, nights or weekends.
2. 10 days of major impact on Shady Grove, Rockville riders begins Tuesday
From Tuesday, Aug. 9 through Thursday, Aug. 18, track repairs require Red Line trains to share a single track between Twinbrook and Shady Grove stations.
Trains are only scheduled to and from Shady Grove every 18 minutes at rush hour.
Riders who still use the Shady Grove or Rockville stations should expect longer waits and extra crowding.
Trains are expected to leave the platform at Twinbrook every six minutes, which will maintain “near-normal” service at all other Red Line stations.
Find full details on the work and workarounds in the complete WTOP track work guide for this work zone.
3. Riders who drive to Metro can dodge the work by using a different station
Riders who live between the two branches of the Red Line can consider driving to stations, such as Glenmont or Wheaton.
Riders who typically drive to Shady Grove or Rockville should consider parking at Twinbrook or White Flint, if traffic is not too bad, to avoid the longer waits for trains.
4. Other rails provide a different back-up plan
The MARC Brunswick Line cuts across the Red Line and into D.C., providing a weekday, peak-direction option for riders from Frederick, Dickerson and Germantown through Rockville, Kensington and Silver Spring.
MARC fares on the Brunswick Line from Brunswick and east to Union Station (or stops in between) range from $5 to $9.
Metro riders who switch to MARC should carefully check schedules to be sure the first and last trains in each direction fit with their schedules to avoid disruption.
5. Buses provide another way around
Ride On is offering free rush-hour shuttle buses between Shady Grove and Grosvenor-Strathmore during this work zone. At peak periods, Metro runs additional Red Line trains between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Silver Spring in addition to those that normally run through Shady Grove and Glenmont.
Ride On is also increasing service on Route 46 between Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook, Grosvenor and Medical Center. This route will charge regular fares.
Metro bus is adding service to the Q lines along Viers Mill Road to connect riders to the east side of the Red Line, which is not scheduled to be disrupted by this work zone. Those buses will also charge regular fares.
