Updated: 1:15 p.m.
Metro won’t be adjusting its track work planned for the weekend, so sports fans — and all other weekend rail riders —be warned.
“In this region, rarely does a weekend go by without a major event,” Metro spokeswoman Caroline Lukas wrote in an e-mail. “Unfortunately, we are unable to delay this critical rebuilding work that will improve safety and reliability.”
The agency plans to add “few additional trains on standby” after the games if needed, she added.
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Metro is planning major track work this weekend that will affect all train lines even as the Washington Caps have a home playoff game and the Nats play the Phillies at the same time.
Taking the Red, Green or Yellow Lines to get to the Verizon Center or the ballpark? Hurry up and wait.
The agency is planning to shut rail service on a segment of the Green Line, which will limit the Yellow Line, too. Red Line trains will have to share a track in not one, but two central areas. By the way, Orange and Blue, also will have slowdowns as trains will share a single track along a section.
On any weekend, two games at the same time would be a challenge. The games start just 25 minutes apart with the puck dropping at 12:30 p.m. and batters up at 1:05 p.m. Saturday.
Make those games big ones — game 4 of the NHL playoffs and a baseball game against the fan-loyal Phillies —and the day gets even busier. Then add track work, including a shutdown on the Green Line and delays everywhere else.
So what is Metro going to do? “This is something that is being discussed,” Metro spokeswoman Caroline Lukas told The Washington Examiner on Monday morning.
Here’s where the agency has planned to do work:
- Green Line: The northern end of the line will be closed from Greenbelt to Fort Totten. That means four stations will be closed — Greenbelt, College Park, Prince George’s Plaza and West Hyattsville. Free shuttle buses will ferry riders along the line.
- Yellow Line: Trains will only run as far north as Mount Vernon.
- Red Line: Trains will single track between Forest Glen and Takoma and between Van Ness and Dupont.
- Blue and Orange lines: Trains will share a single track between Eastern Market and Stadium-Armory.
Stay tuned for updates on whether Metro plans to make any adjustments.
