SafeTrack

What is SafeTrack?

SafeTrack is an accelerated track work plan to address safety recommendations and rehabilitate the Metrorail system to improve safety and reliability.

SafeTrack accelerates three years' worth of work into approximately one year. The plan significantly expands maintenance time on weeknights, weekends and midday hours and includes 15 "Safety Surges" - long duration track outages for major projects in key parts of the system.

Why is SafeTrack necessary?

Metrorail is currently open 135 out of 168 hours per week, leaving insufficient time for maintenance and other necessary track work. By closing the system at midnight on weekends and expanding weekday maintenance opportunities, SafeTrack addresses FTA and NTSB safety recommendations and deferred maintenance backlogs while restoring track infrastructure to good health. In addition the 15 "Safety Surges" will utilize long-duration track outages through around-the-clock single tracking or line-segment shutdowns that will impact rush hour commutes.

How will SafeTrack impact my commute?

Due to reduced capacity and expected longer travel times, Metrorail riders are encouraged to consider using alternate travel options while safety surge work is scheduled on their line. Trains and platforms are expected to be extremely crowded during peak periods and customers may experience extended delays. During line segment shutdowns, limited shuttle bus service will replace trains between the shutdown zones.

Review the links below for more information about each surge project and potential impacts on your commute.

Surge Projects and Alternate Travel Options (Click on individual surges for more details)

Surge	Date	Duration	Impact	Area Affected
# 1	June 4 - 16	13 days	Continuous Single Track	East Falls Church to Ballston Progress Report
# 2	June 18 - July 3	16 days	Line Segment Shutdown	Eastern Market to Minnesota Ave & Benning Road Progress Report
# 3	July 5 - 11 *Starts 8pm July 5	7 days	Line Segment Shutdown	National Airport to Braddock Road Progress Report
# 4	July 12 - 18	7 days	Line Segment Shutdown	Pentagon City to National Airport Progress Report
# 5	July 20 - 31	12 days	Continuous Single Track	East Falls Church to Ballston Progress Report
# 6	August 1 - 7	7 days	Continuous Single Track	Takoma to Silver Spring Progress Report
# 7	August 9 - 21	13 days	Continuous Single Track; weekend line segment shutdown	Shady Grove to Twinbrook Progress Report
# 8	August 27 - September 11	16 days	Continuous Single Track; weekend line segment shutdown	Franconia-Springfield to Van Dorn Street Progress Report
# 9	September 15 - October 26	42 days	Continuous Single Track; weekend line segment shutdown	Vienna to West Falls Church Progress Report
#10	October 29 - November 22	25 days	Line Segment Shutdown	Fort Totten to NoMa
#11	November 28 - December 21	24 days	Continuous Single Track	East Falls Church to West Falls Church
Updated SafeTrack schedule information for 2017 will be announced in December with specific start and end dates. However, Metro has revised the order of some surges to reduce weather impacts on above ground work zones. The order of 2017 surges will be as follows:
#12	Early January		Continuous single tracking; weekend line segment shutdown	Braddock Rd-Huntington/Van Dorn St
#13	Late January/Early February		Line Segment Shutdown	Rosslyn-Pentagon
#14	March		Continuous single tracking; weekend line segment shutdown	Braddock Rd-Huntington/Van Dorn St
#15	Late March/April		Continuous single tracking; weekend line segment shutdown	College Park-Greenbelt

If you have any questions or need assistance planning your trip, please call Metro Customer Service at 202-637-7000.
Riders are encouraged to sign up for MetroAlerts to receive updated information about service disruptions by text or email.