WMATA to Close Four Red Line Stations Due to Maryland’s MTA Purple Line Project

WASHINGTON, D.C. – WMATA will utilize the closure of part of its Red Line due to Maryland’s MTA Purple Line project to perform routine maintenance.

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced the upcoming weekend construction for Maryland’s MTA Purple Line project and its impact on WMATA service. The Purple Line construction falls under the State of Maryland’s purview and is not part of the Metro system. However, because of the proximity of the construction, WMATA will close four Red Line stations between Takoma and Glenmont, the agency will offer free shuttle buses on Saturday and Sunday, January 27^th and 28^th. Subsequently, the Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, and Silver Spring stations will be closed.

Aside from those station closures, the Red Line trains will operate on a normal schedule, according to the report. For local residents, information on service frequency can be found here. As well, Metro will use this closure to complete maintenance work. During the weekend of January 27^th-28^th, crews will “replace a switch which is part of the interlocking and signal system that allows the safe movement of trains from one track to another.” During that time, crews will also perform routine maintenance which include replacing sections of rail and fasteners and welding rail joints together.

WMATA reports “communications teams will run new fiber optic cables necessary for more advanced signaling and rail technology, electrical work, and installation of emergency communication call boxes,” at the same time. In tunnel sections, crews will “perform leak mitigation and above ground maintenance teams will remove nearby vegetation that may impede tracks.”