Red Line Delays, Closures To Begin For Ventilation Improvements

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — Commuters, be forewarned. Traveling on the Red Line may be a little slower starting next week, as crews begin to install powerful new plans to improve ventilation in the train tunnels. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority expects it to cause "significant impacts on customers."

There will be a single track running from Dupont Circle to Van Ness stations, starting July 17 and continuing through Aug. 29. Trains will run every 18 minutes between Shady Grove and Glenmont. On the other side of Dupont Circle, more trains will run between Glenmont and Farragut North on weekdays from opening to 7 p.m. to increase the frequency, the Metro said in an announcement.

"The tunnel ventilation project was developed in response to a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) directive to upgrade tunnel ventilation after the 2015 smoke incident at L’Enfant Plaza," the Metro said in a statement. "As the oldest line in the Metrorail system, the Red Line ventilation shafts and fans were installed prior to the establishment of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) safety standards for transit systems."

One woman died when smoke filled the tunnel at L’Enfant Plaza Metro Station, and 84 people were hospitalized.

Commuters

Starting Saturday, July 17 through Sunday, August 29, Metro Red Line trains will be single tracking between the Dupont Circle and Van Ness stations, 24/7

New, more powerful tunnel fans are being installed

Details=https://t.co/Qp09zGi8bmhttps://t.co/Qp09zGi8bm">https... href="@MCDOTNow" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/MCDOTNow?r... @wmata @311MC311 pic.twitter.com/srVsBYIanA">

The Metro recommends the Metrobus Route L2 —which runs on Connecticut Avenue between Chevy Chase Circle and Farragut Square — as an alternative to the train.

The track between Dupont Circle and Van Ness stations will be closed from Aug. 7 to 8 and again from Aug. 28 to 29. On those days, free shuttle buses will run between the two stations. Cleveland Park and Woodley Park stations will be closed those weekends.

“It is important that we continue with this safety critical work so that we are ready and able to resume normal operations as the region reopens,” said Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld in a statement. “We will be working around the clock, seven-days a week, to maximize efficiencies and allow us to get the work done more quickly.”