Temporary bus lanes to be installed during closure of 2 Red Line Metro stations later this summer

WASHINGTON - As Metro is preparing to shut down two Red Line stations for 45 days starting in mid-July, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will install temporary bus lanes and add parking restrictions to help deal with the expected increase in traffic caused by the closures.

Starting on July 21 and continuing on through Labor Day, Metro will close the Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland stations. The closure of both stations is being done in order to complete structural repairs at the Rhode Island Avenue station, which include deteriorating platforms that could be dangerous for disabled riders. Rhode Island Avenue is Metro's oldest outdoor station.

Due to the station closures, there will be no Red Line service between the Fort Totten and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations.

DDOT said the temporary bus lanes will be added on Rhode Island Avenue between North Capitol Street and 12th Street. They will be operational between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. from Monday through Saturday while the two Red Line stations are closed.

This will help Metro with the increased number of shuttle buses they will be providing to shuttle passengers to and from areas where the Red Line rail service will be impacted.

"These temporary bus lanes are designed to help manage traffic along what is already a busy thoroughfare," said DDOT Director Jeff Marootian. "We want to support WMATA in this effort to make sure that Red Line passengers, as well as cyclists and drivers who travel Rhode Island Avenue are able to make it to their destinations on time and safely."

In addition to the bus lanes, DDOT is implementing parking restrictions during the Red Line closures:

- There will be No Parking and No Standing or Stopping from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday to Saturday, on both sides of Rhode Island Avenue from North Capitol Street to 12th Street

- Rush hour No Parking restrictions will be extended by 30 minutes for the morning and evening rush on North Capitol Street (600 to 3000 North Capitol Street NE/NW). Rush hours will be from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday