Metro Labor Day Fix. A Safer Red Line?

In the aftermath of the June 22, 2009 Fort Totten Metro crash a sea of safety recommendations have been forthcoming. The National Transportation Safety Board weighed in based upon their investigation of the Red Line catastrophe and also a lesser known 2007 Mount Vernon Square derailment. As a consequence Metro is closing down five Red Line stations for repairs over Labor day weekend.

The stations effected are Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont. Free shuttle buses will operate between Glenmont and Fort Totten.

Such station closures are not unprecedented for Metro as holiday weekends are often used for various repairs and improvements. The closures are likely to save many months of single track operation.

Previously, Metro has closed Yellow and Blue Line stations to facilitate repairs and maintenance. Hopefully, these repairs will make future Metro crashes non-existent.