First major shutdown of DC Metro maintenance blitz to begin

Associated Press//June 17, 2016//

Listen to this article

In this Jan. 13, 2015 file photo, a subway train arrives at the L'Enfant Metro Station in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) — In this Jan. 13, 2015 file photo, a subway train arrives at the L’Enfant Metro Station in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File)

WASHINGTON — The first major shutdown of the nine-month maintenance blitz on Washington’s subway system is about to begin.

Starting Saturday, Metro’s blue, orange and silver lines will be closed entirely between the Minnesota Avenue and Eastern Market stations in Washington. The shutdown runs through July 3 and will affect the commute for tens of thousands of people, particularly those who take Metro from Prince George’s County, Maryland.

Metro will offer bus service between the two closed stations, but general manager Paul Wiedefeld cautioned Thursday that the buses simply won’t be able to handle the number of people who usually ride the subway during rush hour.

Businesses and government agencies are being urged to allow workers affected by the shutdown to work from home or change their hours.

Tags: metrorail

Select Region or Brand