Buses to Replace Metro Trains This Weekend Between Bethesda, Rockville

If you’re planning on taking the Red Line this weekend, expect delays. Buses will be replacing Metro trains between Bethesda and Rockville as part of WMATA’s new initiative to speed up maintenance and safety work.

As part of the initiative, WMATA will be closing certain stations as an alternative to single-tracking trains through work zones. The transit agency says this will help accelerate repair work and lessen delays outside of work zones. “This approach allows work to proceed on a faster timetable and to preserve normal or near-normal weekend service levels elsewhere on your rail line,” a Metro statement read.

Here’s what you need to know about Red Line station closures this weekend:

• Buses will be replacing trains between Bethesda and Rockville.

• Medical Center, Grosvenor, White Flint and Twinbrook stations will be closed to allow Metro crews to “install new rail, repair tunnel leaks, replace ties and fasteners, install new communications cables to enhance cell phone coverage, and conduct preventive maintenance on 23 elevators and 10 escalators. Crews also will continue platform rehabilitation work at Twinbrook and White Flint stations and make repairs to the aerial structure near Grosvenor,” according to Metro.
• Free shuttle buses will run between Bethesda and Rockville, stopping at Medical Center, Grosvenor, White Flint and Twinbrook. Express buses will also run between Bethesda and Rockville.
• Metrorail service will run as usual between Bethesda and Glenmont.
• Trains will run between Rockville and Shady Grove about every 20 minutes. The last trains will leave Shady Grove at 1:58a.m. Saturday and 10:58 p.m. Sunday — 45 minutes earlier than usual both days.
• Check out Metrobus J and Q routes or Ride-On for as alternatives.
• Red Line riders in the work zone should tack on about 45 minutes to their anticipated travel time.

If you're taking the shuttles, keep Bethesda Patch up to date on your experiences via Twitter or Facebook. You can also email us at erin@patch.com.