Metro work on Blue and Silver lines to cause delays

WASHINGTON - Metro riders can expect major delays during the rush hour Friday morning on the Blue and Silver lines as crews work to make needed repairs.

Metro said structural repairs were needed near Benning Road, and due to the work, it would reduce service on the Silver Line and reroute the Blue line to New Carrollton beginning on Friday. The work was expected to last until Monday morning.

Crews handed out fliers at the stations that would be impacted to warn commuters that they'll need to plan on adding extra time to their Friday commute. Metro estimates it will take 24 minutes between trains at the Silver stations and said there will be no Blue line service between Benning Road and Largo Town Center.

The problem is a crack in an 18 square foot section of a concrete floating slab under the rails just outside the Benning Road station.

Metro has been slowing trains as they travel over the area since the crack was discovered, but said they need at least 72 hours to repair it.

Metro provided the following details for service between Friday and Sunday:

The following 10 stations will experience reduced service (trains every 24 minutes). Riders who normally use these stations are encouraged to use stations on other lines:

Metro's new "Rush Hour Promise" will not be in effect for customers traveling to or from the 10 affected stations, but will remain in effect on all other lines and the 81 remaining stations, according to officials.