Shuttle plan released for Blue, Orange, and Silver line construction work that closes some downtown stations Dec. 20-30
*Updated 12/22/2024 to include ADA information for Red Line customers traveling towards Glenmont, who wish to exit the station at Metro Center.Metro is releasing its shuttle bus plan for this December’s construction work downtown on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines.
Free local and express buses will replace trains during the 11-day construction project. Shuttle frequency will be every 8-10 minutes on weekdays and 8-12 minutes on weekends and holidays. Certain express shuttles won’t run on weekends and holidays. Shuttles will use the existing bus lanes on H and I streets to speed travel.
Construction will be completed in two phases from Dec. 20-26 and an extended construction zone from Dec. 27-30. Stations will reopen Dec. 31.
Last trip times have changed for all Blue, Orange, and Silver line stations during construction.
Use the trip planner at WMATA.com and select “last trip” option for the best information. If the default "travel by both" (rail and bus) option is selected, the customer will see later trips on bus if that's available. If the customer only wants to see last trains, they can select the "rail" option.
Dec. 20-26
From Dec. 20-26, Farragut West, McPherson Square, and the lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at Metro Center will be closed.
Shuttles will replace trains between Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle.
Shuttles include a local, stopping at all affected stations, and three express shuttles: Foggy Bottom to Federal Triangle, Foggy Bottom to Gallery Place, and Foggy Bottom to Farragut North (weekday rush hours only).
Orange Line customers traveling toward Foggy Bottom and beyond must transfer to the Silver Line at Clarendon.
*Red Line customers traveling towards Glenmont cannot access the Metro Center elevator to exit the station, due to construction occurring on the lower level platform. Customers needing to use the elevator to exit must continue on the train and exit at Gallery Place, where a shuttle van will transport them to Metro Center.
Dec. 27-30
From Dec. 27-30, Farragut West, McPherson Square, lower level (Blue, Orange, Silver service) at Metro Center, Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, and the lower level of L'Enfant Plaza (Blue, Orange, Silver service) will be closed.
Shuttles will replace trains between Foggy Bottom and Federal Center SW.
Shuttles include a local, stopping at all affected stations, and three express shuttles: Foggy Bottom to Federal Center SW, Foggy Bottom to Gallery Place, and Foggy Bottom to Farragut North (weekday rush hours only).
Orange Line customers traveling toward Foggy Bottom must transfer to the Silver Line at Clarendon.
*Red Line customers traveling towards Glenmont cannot access the Metro Center elevator to exit the station, due to construction occurring on the lower level platform. Customers needing to use the elevator to exit must continue on the train and exit at Gallery Place, where a shuttle van will transport them to Metro Center.
Construction includes replacing grout pads, replacing fasteners and studs, welding open joints, upgrading platform edge lighting, and more. One longer closure avoids 10 weekends of track work in the same area.
Metro strategically picked closure dates to minimize customer impact. Typically, ridership is 40% lower than usual this time of year. Metro has reached out to several community and business groups to let them know about the upcoming work.