Huge Bus Bridge coming Labor Day Weekend

[WMATAGMOAGH]

WMATA just announced that the Red Line will be closed from Fort Totten to Glenmont over Labor Day weekend for track work, with shuttle buses connecting the 5 closed stations to Fort Totten where onward transfers will occur.  Obviously it is a month away, but the press release says this is the biggest weekend closure in WMATA's history, with over 500 workers and 3 contractors on site to carry out many projects. 

I'll almost assuredly be out of town that weekend, but I think this has good fanning potential, riders who want to actually get somewhere might not be nearly so pleased.

Here is the press release:

Labor Day weekend track work to close five Red Line stations to meet NTSB recommendation, maintain a state of good repair    For immediate release: August 3, 2010

                   
Track work will close Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont Metrorail stations       Metro will close five Red Line stations during the Labor Day  Holiday weekend from 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 3, to closing on Monday,  Sept. 6, as the agency undertakes a major rehabilitation and rebuilding  project to improve safety, comply with a recommendation made by the  National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and maintain service  reliability and a state of good repair. The Takoma, Silver Spring,  Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont Metrorail stations will be closed  during the Labor Day Holiday weekend. Normal service will resume on  Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 5 a.m.

To  help people get around the work zone, Metro will operate free shuttle  buses between the Fort Totten and Glenmont Metrorail stations.  Customers should build an extra 40 minutes into their travel plans if  they need to pass through the work zone.

Metro will conduct  several projects in the area of the closure during the Labor Day  Holiday weekend. Track workers will replace two old track switches at  the Silver Spring Metrorail station, install 750 new track fasteners,  1,720 new crossties, 525 feet of new track, 500 new rail insulators,  new heater tape, new tunnel safety lights and install communications  cables in support for upgraded cell phone access. The track switch  replacement is work recommended by the National Transportation Safety  Board. The cell phone service project is a Congressional mandate to  improve cell phone access at Metrorail stations.

This will be  the largest maintenance shutdown in Metro's 34-year history. Officials  anticipate having more than 500 track maintenance employees and three  contractors working during the Labor Day Holiday weekend.

During  the Labor Day Holiday weekend, all Red Line trains will operate between  the Shady Grove and Fort Totten Metrorail station. The Fort Totten  Metrorail station on the Red Line will remain open.

Metro will operate free shuttle bus service between the Fort Totten and Glenmont Metrorail stations.

Riders  who wish to avoid the closure of the Red Line between the Fort Totten  and Glenmont Metrorail stations can use the following Metrobus lines  during the Labor Day weekend:

• C8 (College Park-White Flint) line, which serves the Glenmont Metrorail station.
• J2 (Bethesda-Silver Spring) line, which serves the Silver Spring, Bethesda and Medical Center Metrorail stations.
•  Q1, 2, 4, 6 (Veirs Mill Road) line, which serves the Shady Grove,  Rockville, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring Metrorail stations.

By  completing this work during the Labor Day Holiday weekend, Metro will  save more than $1 million in late-night maintenance costs that would  have resulted in 150 days of single-tracking.

To alert  customers about this work, Metro will send e-Alerts, use social media,  post signs in key stations, and make train and system announcements.

Additional  information on the Labor Day holiday weekend closure of the Red Line  between the Fort Totten and Glenmont Metrorail stations will be  available in the next couple of weeks. Riders are encouraged to check  Metro's web site at www.metroopensdoors.com for upcoming details on Red  Line train and shuttle bus schedules.

[Scrabbleship]

Given the intensity of this closure, I wonder if they could add additional service on the Metrobus routes going across Montgomery County. The C8 would be of use only one of those 3 days (no Sunday service, Labor Day a holiday) and the J2 would be swamped in its regular state on all three days. I know during the shutdowns a month after the Fort Totten crash, extra service was run on the 70/S's to get people from Silver Spring into DC with the S9 making its one weekend appearence.

Two other things about this press release I find worth a chuckle.

1: Outside those halfway on Veirs Mill, who would take the Q's to Rockville to get on Metro to get to DC? It seems like going out of one's way as I see it.

2: Is Metro afraid of mentioning Ride On? I know Ride On provides better service while spending less, but to omit cross-county routes like the 1, 5, 34, 48, and so on seems a little dumb. Hypothetically, could Ride On afford to put some trippers on the 1 and/or 34 that weekend to get people to the other leg?

[WMATAGMOAGH]

You would think they would list the Ss and 70s.  In the past, they have included more information about bus alternatives closer to the actual closure, including Ride On alternatives.

I agree, the Qs don't really help you get around this closure so much.  I wonder why the Ys were left off, I realize they only end at Silver Spring and the shuttle will duplicate their route, but still, it is an option of sorts.

Supposedly this upcoming weekend, bus service on a variety of DC routes will be increased because the Red Line will be single tracked and operating limited service between Dupont Circle and Union Station.  I'm thinking there is a good chance they might increase service Labor Day weekend too on some other routes based on that.

[Transport]

Where is the mention of the Ys?  The Y buses would seem like an obvious alternative - more so than the Qs or J2.

[79MetroExtraMD]

Wow, that's alot. I'm hearing overtime. I'm pretty sure many garages will supply buses to help people get around that weekend, but given its a federal holiday, there shouldn't be too many crush loads to shuttle around. It'd be interesting to see Silver Spring with shuttle service again.

[Scrabbleship]

Where is the mention of the Ys?  The Y buses would seem like an obvious alternative - more so than the Qs or J2.

The Q's and the J2 both go to the other side of the Red Line where connections can be made. The Y's don't. Unless one is a total busophobe, they probably know that the Y's are redundant to the northeastern Red Line as it is.

The last time the Red Line had a weekend-long shutdown in that area, they ran "express" shuttle buses from Union Station to Takoma nonstop via North Capitol for those who wanted a one-seat ride downtown. This might be a good idea to reconsider, especially if it began at Silver Spring and/or did Glenmont-Silver Spring, then went nonstop.

[WayneNYC]

Where is the mention of the Ys?  The Y buses would seem like an obvious alternative - more so than the Qs or J2.

The Q's and the J2 both go to the other side of the Red Line where connections can be made. The Y's don't. Unless one is a total busophobe, they probably know that the Y's are redundant to the northeastern Red Line as it is.

The last time the Red Line had a weekend-long shutdown in that area, they ran "express" shuttle buses from Union Station to Takoma nonstop via North Capitol for those who wanted a one-seat ride downtown. This might be a good idea to reconsider, especially if it began at Silver Spring and/or did Glenmont-Silver Spring, then went nonstop.

Yes, I was thinking about some expresses too.  This is something that NYCTA does often on their long bustitutions and it works well.  I'd like to hear what some of our resident transit pros think.  I was wondering if they'd do well to have some buses skip Silver Spring.  Obviously Silver Spring is a very busy stop, but my thinking is that they'll be a number of "through" riders who would have the pain of a long bus bridge lessened somewhat.  Also, it would be fewer buses in that already congested hotspot.  Just my two cents.

[Tritransit Area]

Cool, a great time to get those Flxes! I'd add a remark about "didn't they JUST do this a few years ago" but considering the circumstances, I'll be quiet.

Dunno where they are going to put all of those buses at Silver Spring.  Perhaps it will be a local stop only.  The K6 may get additional ridership from Langley Park riders that would usually hop on Ride-On to get to Silver Spring.

[WMATAGMOAGH]

I feel as if in the past, WMATA tends to run all local buses for bus bridges that feed into the "end" of the line, wheras expresses are offered when the section that is being bustituted is in the middle of the line.  Also, I think when the bus bridge was running after last year's crash, the most difficult and time consuming part was serving Takoma, since there is no direct route from Silver Spring to Takoma or from Takoma to Fort Totten.  I'm wondering if this scheme might work best:

1.  Glenmont-Wheaton-Forest Glen-Silver Spring-Fort Totten
2.  Silver Spring-Takoma-Fort Totten

The Silver Spring-Fort Totten express could run down Georgia or North Capitol to Missouri and then over to Fort Totten.  Also, I'd make the riders at Forest Glen walk out to Georgia Avenue and just use the Y stops out on the main road to save time.


Brandon:  They did a bus bridge during the NY Ave construction between Union Station and Brookland (I think was the other end) a few times, and also last year when required by the NTSB for crash investigation.  I don't think there have been any other large scale shutdowns that resulted in bustitution on the B route.

[RideOn5905]

I noticed that they left out one other vital bus route: the C4. It runs on Sunday, and it goes from Wheaton to Twinbrook, so it kinda makes me wonder why they didn't mention it.

As for Ride-On, people in Glenmont (hey, Ben Schumin) have got it pretty good; the 10 and 26 go to Twinbrook, and the 49 goes to Rockville.

Well, I'm not gonna be around for the bus bridge, 'cause I'm spending Labor Day weekend in Ocean City!

[Scrabbleship]

This whole bus bridge makes me glad that a) I no longer live in Silver Spring (potentially for now) and b) I have a 7:00 PM flight Friday night from DCA to Atlanta and won't be anywhere near the Red Line.

If I was still in Silver Spring and doing my usual Labor Day weekend trip back to New York, odds are I'd go from the Bolt/Mega terminal and just get an S bus up. If I had to Metro, I'd just do it to Friendship Heights and get a 1 from there.

[Tritransit Area]

Brandon:  They did a bus bridge during the NY Ave construction between Union Station and Brookland (I think was the other end) a few times, and also last year when required by the NTSB for crash investigation.  I don't think there have been any other large scale shutdowns that resulted in bustitution on the B route.

It may not be considered large scale, but I do remember that several years ago, over Labor Day weekend, there was a shut down of the Red Line between Silver Spring and Fort Totten Station, with a mix of express (Silver Spring-Fort Totten) and local (Silver Spring-Takoma-Fort Totten) service. 

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b62/Bastranz/DC%20Area%20Transit/WMATA/Metrobus/Neoplan/?action=view&current=5311-FortTottenSta-9-3-05.jpg

Now that I look at the date and see 5 years have already gone by, I guess it's not like they just did this yesterday, heh.  Also, of course it wasn't nearly as big as shutting down the line up to Glenmont!  It was a great time to catch up on my old favorites, though!

[OrionFlyer]

I hope a lot of Flixbles be out during the closure. Looks like they won't be around for much longer

[Tritransit Area]

This bus bridge would be the best time to ride all of your favorite Flxibles!

[79MetroExtraMD]

Here are the details of the shuttle service and the disruption information in general

Link: http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=4612

Metro to replace track switch to comply with NTSB recommendation, maintain a state of good repair    For immediate release: August 19, 2010

               
Labor Day Weekend track work will close five Red Lines stations       
Metro   officials will replace a track switch to improve rail system safety and   conduct several additional projects between the Takoma and Glenmont   Metrorail stations, which will necessitate the closure of five Red Line   stations throughout Labor Day Weekend, (Sept. 3-7). The track switch   replacement is work that has been recommended by the National   Transportation Safety Board.
In addition, track workers will   focus on replacing old components to keep the rail system in a state of   good repair. They will replace two old track switches at the Silver   Spring Metrorail station and install 750 new track fasteners, 1,720 new   crossties, 525 feet of new track, 500 new rail insulators, new heater   tape, new tunnel safety lights and lay 2400 feet of new fiber optic   communications cables in support of upgraded cell phone access. In   addition, workers will replace up to 6400 feet of emergency fire lines   and repair up to 4800 feet of water leaks in the tunnels.
The   Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont Metrorail   stations will be closed during the Labor Day Holiday weekend from 10   p.m., Friday, Sept. 3 through 1 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 7. Normal service   will resume on Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 5 a.m.
To help people get   around the work zone, Metro will operate free shuttle buses between the   Fort Totten and Glenmont Metrorail stations. Customers should build an   extra 40 minutes into their travel plans if they need to pass through   the work zone. Click here for the take one brochure.
This   will be one of the largest maintenance projects involving station   closures in Metro's 34-year history. Officials anticipate having more   than 500 employees and four contractors working during the Labor Day   Holiday weekend.
By consolidating the work during the Labor Day   Holiday weekend, Metro will save more than $1 million in late-night   maintenance costs that would have otherwise resulted in 150 days of   single-tracking.
Red Line Service
From   10 p.m., Friday, September 3, to 1 a.m., on Tuesday, September 7, all   Red Line trains will operate between the Shady Grove and Fort Totten   Metrorail station. The Fort Totten Metrorail station on the Red Line   will remain open. (The rail system will remain open one extra hour on   Monday night for a football game at FedEx Field.)
During the   day, all Red Line trains will operate approximately every 6 minutes on   Saturday, Sept. 4, and approximately every 7 to 8 minutes on Sunday,   Sept. 5 and Monday, Sept. 6. After 9:30 p.m., on Sept. 3, 4, 5 and 6,   all Red Line trains will operate approximately every 15 minutes.
Last Red Line Trains Between Fort Totten and Glenmont – Friday, September 3
The   last trains will operate through the work zone prior to 10 p.m. because   personnel need time to remove power from both tracks and to safely   assemble maintenance crews in the designated work zones.
On   Friday, Sept. 3, prior to closure of the Red Line between the Fort   Totten and Glenmont Metrorail stations, the last Glenmont bound Red Line   train through the work area will depart Shady Grove at 8:58 p.m., Fort   Totten at 9:47 p.m., Takoma at 9:50 p.m., Silver Spring at 9:53 p.m.,   Forest Glen at 9:56 p.m., Wheaton at 9:59 p.m. and arrive at the   Glenmont Metrorail station at 10:01 p.m. The last Shady Grove bound Red   Line train through the work area will depart the Glenmont Metrorail   station at 9:35 p.m., Wheaton at 9:38 p.m., Forest Glen at 9:41 p.m.,   Silver Spring at 9:44 p.m., Takoma at 9:47 p.m., Fort Totten at 9:49   p.m., and arrive at the Shady Grove Metrorail station at 10:38 p.m.
Last Red Line Train Departures from Fort Totten
In   order for Shady Grove bound Red Line trains to make their final   connections for the Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green lines, the last train   will depart the Fort Totten Metrorail station at 2:51 a.m., on Friday,   Sept. 3 (early Saturday morning) and Saturday, Sept. 4 (early Sunday   morning), 11:51 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 5 and 12:51 a.m., on Tuesday,   Sept. 7.
Labor Day Weekend Shuttle Bus Service
From   10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 3, until 1 a.m., on Tuesday, Sept. 7, Metro will   operate the following free shuttle buses between these locations:

   
• Green   Shuttle: Glenmont Metrorail station to and from the Georgia   Ave-Petworth Metrorail station with stops at the Wheaton, Forest Glen   and Silver Spring Metrorail stations.
• Yellow Shuttle:   Silver Spring Metrorail station to and from the Fort Totten Metrorail   station with a stop at the Takoma Metrorail station.
• Red   Shuttle: Glenmont Metrorail station to and from the Fort Totten   Metrorail station with stops at the Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring   and Takoma Metrorail stations.

The weekend's free shuttle buses will operate continuously in coordination with Red Line service.
Available Existing Bus Service Labor Day Weekend
Riders   who prefer to avoid the track work can use one of the following   Metrobus or Ride-On lines to connect to the western end of the Red Line   during the Labor Day Holiday weekend:

Traveling Between	Alternative Route
Glenmont – White Flint	Metrobus C8 (Saturday only)
Glenmont – Twinbrook	Ride On 10
Wheaton – Twinbrook	Metrobus C4
Wheaton – Medical Center	Ride On 34
Wheaton – Rockville/Shady Grove	Metrobus Q1, Q2, Q4, Q5, Q6
Wheaton – White Flint	Ride On 38
Silver Spring – Rockville/Shady Grove	Metrobus Q1, Q2, Q4
Silver Spring – Bethesda/Medical Center	Metrobus J2
Silver Spring – Rockville	Metrobus Q4

Rider Tips for Labor Day Weekend
Customers   who normally use the eastern end of the Red Line between the Glenmont   and Fort Totten Metrorail stations should consider using the western end   of the Red Line to get to downtown Washington or taking Metrobus or   Ride-On buses that connect from the eastern to the western end of the   Red Line. Parking at Metro facilities will be free throughout the Labor   Day Holiday Weekend.
On Monday, Sept. 6, the Metrorail system   will close one hour later than usual to support fans attending the   Virginia Tech vs. Boise State University football game at FedEx Field.   The rail system will close at 1 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 7. The last train   departing the Largo Town Center Metrorail station will be at 12:24 a.m.,   and Morgan Boulevard at 12:27 a.m., after the game.
Customer Assistance
From   8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 4, to Monday, Sept. 6, Metro   administrative employees will be available at the Glenmont, Wheaton,   Forest Glen, Silver Spring, Takoma and Georgia Ave-Petworth Metrorail   stations to help customers navigate around the track work.
To   alert customers about this work, Metro will issue e-Alerts, post signs   in key stations, place notices on station kiosks, and make train and   system announcements.  Additional information will be available on   Metro=s web site at www.metroopensdoors.com.
The Trip Planner, located on Metro's Web site, will not   reflect the impact of this work on its schedules. Customers should   allow more time for their trips because of this work. For more   information on traveling by Metrobus or Metrorail, customers may call   (202) 637-7000 or TTY (202) 638-3780.
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News release issued at 11:01 am, August 19, 2010.