Major Metro Shutdown On Yellow Line Starts Nov. 26

SILVER SPRING, MD — Metro riders who commute between D.C. and Northern Virginia via the Yellow Line are in for some major headaches in the coming weeks, as Metro is planning a two-week shutdown of the Yellow Line Bridge.

Starting Monday, Nov. 26 and lasting through Sunday, Dec. 9, WMATA will begin a 14-day capital improvement project that will result in a shutdown of the Yellow Line Bridge over the Potomac River.

"Due to the heavy construction activity and limited space available on the bridge span, both tracks must be out of service for safety reasons, Metro said. "This approach also allows crews to complete the work faster, working around the clock to pour new concrete grout pads, replace fasteners, cables and other components."

The project was announced back in February and will be the fourth and final major capital improvement project of 2018, WMATA said. Crews will make structural repairs and infrastructure upgrades on the bridge.

During the two-week span, customers who take the Yellow Line to cross the Potomac River should switch to the Blue Line instead. Blue Line trains will operate between Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center every 16 minutes. WMATA also said Blue Line trains will be running every 16 minutes between Huntington and Largo Town Center.

Metro will offer free shuttle bus service for Blue Line customers.

Due to construction, Rush Hour Promise will not be in effect for trips on the Yellow and Blue lines, according to a press statement. The Rush Hour Promise, which Metro passed in early 2018, grants refunds to customers whose trains are delayed by 15 minutes are more.

Patch's Dan Taylor contributed to this report.

Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images

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