WASHINGTON (Updated) — WMATA announced Sunday that the Rhode Island Ave. Metro station where debris fell from the ceiling two days this week is now open a day earlier than planned.
Metro Chief Operating Officer Joseph Leader announced Friday the Metro station, located on the Red Line in Northeast D.C., would remained closed through Sunday evening so a top-to-bottom review by outside inspectors could continue.
Metro expects the station to reopen at 7 a.m. on Monday, Leader said.
“We are placing safety first,” Leader said during a Friday afternoon news conference. Speaking directly to Metro riders, Leader said: “I know this is a holiday weekend, and I know we are inconveniencing a lot of folks that live and use this station. However, we are doing it for your safety.”
According to preliminary findings, Metro said the two incidents do not appear to be related to any structural deficiencies. However, outside consultant are continuing to inspect the station to ensure there is no danger to the public.
The station has been closed since Thursday afternoon, when for the second day in a row debris fell from the ceiling onto the station platform. Trains are passing through the station at a reduced speed, but are not stopping to let passengers on or off there.
On Wednesday night at about 9 p.m., a metal bracket and small pieces of concrete fell from the station ceiling landing near a bank of escalators, prompting officials to temporarily close the station for the rest of the day.
Metro said it made repairs, and the station reopened Thursday. That afternoon, however, small pieces of concrete again fell from the station ceiling — about 40 feet away from where debris fell the night before. Metro had previously said the two incidents were about 20 feet apart.
No one was injured in either incident.
Over the weekend, Metro crews will use special equipment to examine concrete structures in the station. In addition, crews will install a safety net across an area about 15 feet by 600 feet to catch any debris that falls until permanent repairs can be made, Leader said.
The station, which is located above ground on an elevated platform, was one of the first stations to open when the system went live in 1976.
WTOP’s Valerie Bonk contributed to this report.
