More Metro track repairs cause delays on Red Line during Wednesday evening rush hour

WASHINGTON - Metro passengers on the Red Line are experiencing crowded platforms and delays as the transit system works to repair the tracks on the line during Wednesday evening's rush hour.

Because of a cracked rail in the area of the Grosvenor station, all Red Line trains will be single tracking between Medical Center and Grosvenor. Metro says crews are bringing a crane to replace the 39-foot section of the damaged rail.

Metro also says Red Line trains are single tracking between Farragut North and Dupont Circle so that they can repair defective rail fasteners found in the area of the Dupont Circle station. The repairs are expected to take several hours.

Customers on the east side of the Red Line should consider the Green Line as an alternate between Gallery Place and Fort Totten, Metro says.

The repairs come one day after train service was disrupted for riders on the Orange, Silver and Blue Lines so crews could also repair defective rail fasteners found by inspectors.

Officials say these fasteners are important because they keep rails in place and prevent derailments.