Metro plans to open its rail system an hour early for the SunTrust Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Marathon this weekend, but riders should expect to see delays due to trackwork on every line and many detours on buses.
Only one station, Shady Grove, is closed for the weekend on the western end of the Red Line, but trains will be forced to share a single track in multiple spots elsewhere. The work starts at 10 p.m. Friday and runs through Sunday.
The rail system will open at 6 a.m., instead of the usual 7 a.m., on Saturday to accommodate runners.
The marathon does mean massive bus rerouting, including these lines: 32, 34, 36, 38B, 42, 52, 54, 64, 70, 74, 80, 90, 92, 96, A42, A46, A48, B2, D4, D6, D8, G2, G8, H2, H4, L2, M6, N6, P6, S2, S4, U2, U6, V8, X2, X8.
Bus riders can transfer to the train system for free during the marathon by requesting a special transfer receipt from their bus operator.
Here’s where the rail delays will be:
- Red Line: Shutdown at Shady Grove so free shuttle buses will run to the Rockville station.
- Orange Line: Trains will share a single track between East and West Falls Church stations
- Blue Line: Trains will share a single track between Stadium-Armory and Addison Road stations.
- Green Line: Trains will share a single track between Fort Totten and Prince George’s Plaza.
- Yellow Line: No track work is occurring on the actual line but the Green Line delays mean Yellow Line trains will run every 16 minutes throughout the weekend and stop at Mt. Vernon Square. Riders will need to switch to the Green Line to travel farther north.
