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WMATA prepares for major winter storm


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#1 CNJRoss

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Posted 04 February 2010 - 08:03 PM

For immediate release: February 4, 2010

Metro prepares for major winter storm Friday and Saturday
Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess customers should expect major service disruptions throughout the weekend as snow accumulates


As the region prepares for the biggest snowstorm since 1996, Metro expects that heavy accumulations of snow and ice will hamper its ability to provide safe rail, bus and paratransit service late Friday, Feb. 5, through Saturday, Feb. 6 and likely into Sunday, Feb 7, as the recovery begins. Today, the National Weather Service advised the public to “plan for substantial disruptions to travel Friday afternoon through the weekend.” See guide to using Metro in a snowstorm.

Metrorail Service

Metrorail anticipates opening at 5 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 5. and closing above ground portions of the Metrorail system when snow accumulations reach eight inches or higher. Customers riding Metrorail are encouraged to use care and caution on Friday afternoon while entering and exiting Metrorail stations as station platforms may be wet and slippery due to weather conditions.

Metro expects to have up to 20 trains equipped with de-icing equipment to combat snow and ice on the electrified third rail, which must be clear to allow electricity to flow to move the trains. Up to 12 trains will be available to operate in regular passenger service on all rail lines with the remaining eight trains in rail yards.

Impact to Metrorail during a significant snow storm

Metrorail operates very close to a normal schedule in snowfall of up to six inches. However once snow reaches a depth of eight inches, it is difficult to operate trains above ground because snow starts to cover the electrified third rail, which is necessary to provide electricity to power the trains. As a result, Metro may suspend above-ground rail service and serve underground stations only when snow accumulation reaches eight inches or more.

In the event above-ground rail service is suspended, the modified underground service will operate every 30 minutes as follows:

Yellow Line – Pentagon to Crystal City only
Red Line – Medical Center to Union Station only
Orange Line – Ballston to Stadium-Armory only
Green Line – Fort Totten to Congress Heights only
Blue Line – Ballston (extended to Blue Line) and Stadium-Armory only

Running trains only through underground stations when snow reaches eight or more inches will lessen the damage to the electrical components of trains which allows Metro to resume quicker because more trains will be available for use.

Underground-only operations allow for continued connections to key activity centers in the downtown D.C. and Pentagon areas, and support Metro underground rail car storage needs and a rapid return to normal service once the snow stops falling and is cleared from the track.

Metrobus service

Metrobus will operate on its regular Friday schedule but will be modified throughout the day and throughout the weekend as road conditions deteriorate. As local road conditions change, Metrobus will first reduce service, then limit service to snow emergency routes. However, if snow accumulates in the manner that has been predicted, Metro will likely stop all bus service until road conditions improve. Customers are encouraged to call the Next Bus number at 202-637-7000 or check Metro’s Next Bus Web site at http://www.wmata.com...us/arrivals.cfm to determine when the next bus will arrive.

MetroAccess service

MetroAccess will operate on its regular Friday schedule but will be modified throughout the day and throughout the weekend as road conditions deteriorate. However, if snow accumulates in the manner that has been predicted, MetroAccess will likely stop all service until road conditions improve. Customers with scheduled rides should call 301-562-5360 for a status update of their ride.

Parking Facilities

Customers who use Metrorail parking facilities on Monday, Feb. 8, can expect to see surface parking facilities piled with snow, consuming approximately 15 percent of the spaces where vehicles usually park. The top level of parking decks also are expected to have large snow piles on them as more of those surfaces are cleared. Parking lot clearing will continue throughout the weekend and into early next week.

Customers are advised to be on the lookout for “black ice” on paved surfaces, which is often difficult to spot.

Metro personnel will work throughout the day Friday and all weekend to clear train station platforms, station entrances, walkways, access to remote street elevators, access roadways, parking lots, bus lanes and Kiss & Ride areas.

Metro Snow Facts

Metro has 2,200 tons of bulk rock salt to treat Metro roadways and parking lots. The salt is stored in seven salt domes and one storage building around the system. Each dome holds approximately 300 tons of rock salt.

Metro has 18,000, 50-pound bags of de-icer (calcium chloride) for treating sidewalks and platforms.

Metro has 71 tractors, 70 pick up trucks, 18 larger trucks, five dump trucks with plows, 96 snow brooms, and 122 snow blowers to remove snow from Metro-owned facilities.

Metro has two contractors on call to support efforts if snow accumulation reaches four inches or more. They are primarily used to clear parking lots.

Metro has several hundred personnel to aid in support of the snow removal effort.

Updates on Winter Weather Conditions

There are a variety of ways for customers to stay informed during a major storm. Metro constantly updates local news media of Metro service changes. Information is also available at www.metroopensdoors.com on the left side of the home page or by calling Metro at 202-637-7000. Customers can also subscribe to e-alerts and receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess.

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#2 CNJRoss

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Posted 06 February 2010 - 10:37 AM

For immediate release: February 5, 2010

Metro cancels weekend track maintenance
Weekend track maintenance canceled on the Red and Orange lines


This weekend’s scheduled track maintenance on the Red Line between Medical Center and Grosvenor-Strathmore and on the Orange Line between Cheverly and New Carrollton has been canceled due to the winter storm.

Be one of the first to find out when Metrorail is experiencing a service disruption by signing up to receive an e-alert. You can personalize Metro e-alerts by signing up to monitor service on specific lines on specific days of the week and on specific times of the day. You can always unsubscribe or change your e-alert preferences. To sign up, visit http://www.wmata.com..._tools/ealerts/.

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#3 CNJRoss

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Posted 06 February 2010 - 10:41 AM

For immediate release: February 5, 2010

Metro service during the storm
Snow storm affects ability to operate safe service


Metrorail
As of 6 p.m. Metrorail is still operating at near-normal service on all lines. Metrorail anticipates limiting service to underground portions of the system later this evening as weather conditions deteriorate.

Metrobus
As of 6 p.m. the following Metrobus lines have moved to snow emergency routes: U5, U8, D2, G2 and H8 in the District of Columbia; 1 (A,B, E, F, Z), 3A, 3T, 4(A, B), 16 (A,D), 16G, 17H, 28 (A,X), 29 (H,G) in Northern Virginia. Metrobus anticipates curtailing service later this evening as road conditions are deteriorating.

MetroAccess
As of 6 p.m. MetroAccess service is in the process of completing its remaining trips for the day.

For more information visit www.MetroOpensDoors.com and refer to the latest news release.

News release issued at 6:05 pm, February 5, 2010.

#4 CNJRoss

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Posted 06 February 2010 - 10:43 AM

For immediate release: February 5, 2010

Metro service during the storm 7 p.m. update
Snow storm affects ability to operate safe service


Metrorail
As of 7 p.m. Metrorail is still operating at near-normal service on all lines. Metrorail anticipates limiting service to underground portions of the system later this evening as weather conditions deteriorate.

Metrobus
As of 7 p.m. all Metrobus lines have moved to snow emergency routes. Metrobus anticipates curtailing service later this evening as road conditions are deteriorating.

MetroAccess
As of 7 p.m. MetroAccess service has nearly completed all remaining trips for the day.

For more information visit www.MetroOpensDoors.com and refer to the latest news release.

News release issued at 7:11 pm, February 5, 2010.

#5 CNJRoss

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Posted 06 February 2010 - 10:46 AM

For immediate release: February 5, 2010

Metro to suspend bus service at 9 p.m. and above-ground rail service at 11 p.m.
Snow storm affects ability to operate safe service

Metrorail

As of 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, Metrorail will suspend above-ground rail service and will run in the underground portions of the system only. On Saturday, Feb. 6, Metrorail will run underground only.

Metrobus
As of 9 p.m. Metrobus will suspend bus service on all lines until further notice. Metrobus will not operate on Saturday, Feb. 6.

MetroAccess
MetroAccess service has completed all remaining trips for the day. MetroAccess will not operate on Saturday, Feb. 6.

For more information visit http://www.MetroOpensDoors.com and refer to the latest news release.

News release issued at 8:04 pm, February 5, 2010.

#6 CNJRoss

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Posted 06 February 2010 - 10:47 AM

email received Feb 5 @ 8:10 pm EST:

WTOP BREAKING NEWS

Metrobus service will stop at 9 p.m. Friday. There will be no Metrobus service on Saturday.


Metro will stop all above-ground train service at 11 p.m. Friday. Metro will stop running trains at 3 a.m. Saturday. Trains will be running about every 30 minutes.

Metro has been in touch with Verizon Center officials. People at the Capitals game should start to see notices informing them of the Metro changes.

For more information visit WTOP.com or tune to 103.5 FM.

#7 CNJRoss

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Posted 06 February 2010 - 10:57 AM

For immediate release: February 5, 2010

Metrorail to halt above-ground service at 11 p.m.--40 stations to close; Metrobus service also to stop at 9 p.m. Friday
No above ground rail service, Metrobus or MetroAccess service on Saturday, Feb. 6


Metrorail trains will stop serving above-ground stations at 11 p.m. tonight, Friday, Feb. 5, due to heavy snowfall that will soon cover the electrified third rail, which is situated eight inches above the ground. The third rail must be clear of snow and ice because it is the source of electricity that powers the trains. Metro officials believe that by 11 p.m. the exposed third rail will be covered by snow. All Metrobus service will stop at 9 p.m. because roadways are quickly becoming impassable.

Metro has 86 stations and 106-miles of track. Forty-six stations along 50.5 miles of track are located underground and 40 stations along 55.5 miles of track are above ground. All 40 above-ground stations will close at 11 p.m., tonight, Friday, Feb. 5. The modified, 30-minute underground service will operate as follows:

Yellow Line – Pentagon to Crystal City
Red Line – Medical Center to Union Station and Glenmont to Forest Glen
Orange Line – Ballston to Stadium-Armory
Green Line – Fort Totten to Congress Heights
Blue Line – Ballston to Stadium-Armory

“We have been monitoring the snowfall throughout the entire day,” said Metro Acting Deputy General Manager Dave Kubicek. “We ran trains to keep the tracks clear of snow and ice, but we are fast-reaching the point where we risk trains becoming stranded on snow-covered tracks. To prevent that from happening, we will cease above-ground operations at 11 p.m.”

“The forecast calls for almost two feet of snow, and we cannot and will not operate in an unsafe environment,” Kubicek said. “Our first responsibility is for the safety of our customers and employees.”

Once trains are shifted to underground travel, some maintenance trains without passengers in them will travel on the exposed tracks to try to keep the snow and ice clear of the tracks. These deicer trains will aid in the return of service because once the snow stops falling, it will be easier to resume above-ground service if snow has been cleared a few times.

The underground Metrorail stations will remain open until 3 a.m., the normal closing time for a Friday night. Underground service will continue to operate at 30-minute intervals all-day on Saturday, Feb. 6, opening at 7 a.m. and closing at 3 a.m.

Rail customers are encouraged to use station elevators from the street level into and out of the stations as they are safer than escalators in this type of heavy snowfall.

All Metrobus service will halt at 9 p.m. as vehicles will not able to drive on snow-covered roads. Metrobus service will not operate on Saturday, Feb. 6.

MetroAccess began the process of canceling all inbound trips at 10:30 a.m., in anticipation of the winter weather. All MetroAccess operations were completed by 7 p.m. this evening. MetroAccess service will not be available on Saturday, Feb. 6.

Metro has 2,200 tons of bulk rock salt to treat Metro roadways and parking lots and 18,000, 50-pound bags of de-icer for treating sidewalks and platforms. Hundreds of snow-trained employees and contractors will be working throughout the night and into this weekend to treat snowy and icy surfaces at Metrorail stations including platforms, sidewalks and parking facilities.

Metro also is using “heater tape,” which has been installed on sections of track with significant grades/inclines and in critical areas in the rail yards. The heater tape is a cable clipped onto the electrified third rail that is turned on when temperatures dip below the freezing mark. It helps keep the third rail warm enough to prevent ice from forming.

How to get Updates on Winter Weather Conditions

There are a variety of ways for customers to stay informed during a major storm. Metro constantly updates local news media of Metro service changes. Information is also available on Metro’s home page at www.metroopensdoors.com. Customers can also subscribe to e-Alerts and receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess.

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#8 CNJRoss

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Posted 06 February 2010 - 11:01 AM

For immediate release: February 5, 2010

Metro suspends above-ground rail service at 11 p.m. and bus service at 9 p.m.
Snow storm affects ability to operate safe service

Metrorail

As of 11 p.m. Friday, Feb. 5, Metrorail has suspended above-ground rail service and will run in the underground portions of the system only until the regular 3 a.m. closing time. On Saturday, Feb. 6, Metrorail will run underground only.

Metrobus
As of 9 p.m. Metrobus has suspended bus service on all lines until further notice. Metrobus will not operate on Saturday, Feb. 6.

MetroAccess
MetroAccess service has completed all customer trips for the day. MetroAccess will not operate on Saturday, Feb. 6.

For more information visit http://www.MetroOpensDoors.com and refer to the latest news release.

News release issued at 11:30 pm, February 5, 2010.

#9 CNJRoss

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Posted 06 February 2010 - 02:50 PM

For immediate release: February 6, 2010

Metrorail to continue underground-only service on Saturday
Metrobus and MetroAccess suspended on Saturday


The Metrorail system will continue operating underground-only until 3 a.m. tonight and Metrobus and MetroAccess will remain closed on Saturday, Feb. 6, due to the snow storm.

Officials will reevaluate rail and road conditions throughout the day to determine when Metro will be able to expand rail service and restart Metrobus and MetroAccess service.

“As road crews make progress on the region’s streets, we will reevaluate driving conditions in hopes of resuming bus service. As our crews make progress keeping the above-ground rails snow- and ice-free, we will again start serving above-ground stations. For now, the responsible decision is to limit service until conditions are safe for our customers and employees,” said Dave Kubicek, Metro’s Acting Deputy General Manager for Operations.

Metro has 86 stations and 106-miles of track. Forty-six stations along 50.5 miles of track are located underground and 40 stations along 55.5 miles of track are above ground. All 40 above-ground stations are closed. Saturday morning, the Metrorail system opened at 7 a.m., however, five Red Line stations, Tenleytown-AU, Van Ness-UDC, Cleveland Park, Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan and Dupont Circle opened at 7:50 a.m., because station personnel had difficulty getting to the stations. Trains servicing stations at 30-minute intervals will only be to underground stations as follows:

Red Line – Medical Center and Union Station and Glenmont to Forest Glen
Orange and Blue Lines – Ballston and Stadium-Armory
Green Line – Fort Totten and Congress Heights
Yellow Line – Service from Pentagon to Crystal City

Because MetroAccess provides door-to-door service, it requires those vehicles to travel into neighborhoods on secondary roads, most of which are expected to remain impassable for the majority of the day. Additionally, MetroAccess officials do not want to risk accidents or risk having vehicles get stuck due to heavy snow and icy conditions, so service will be suspended the entire day on Saturday.

During the night, heavy-duty diesel-powered trains will continue to move back and forth along the exposed sections of track, de-icing them and keeping the tracks as clear as possible.

Metrorail employees and contractors also will be working throughout the day and this evening to clear the rails of ice and snow and to clear platforms, sidewalks, parking facilities and pathways to rail stations. Dozens of railcars are being stored in the underground tunnels this evening to keep them free of snow and ice. Staff also must keep rail yards as ice-free as possible.

Heavy accumulation of snow on the rails on Friday, Feb. 5, forced Metrorail officials to limit train service to its 40 underground stations starting at 11 p.m. when rapidly deteriorating weather conditions hindered train movement. Metrobus stopped at 9 p.m. due to unsafe road conditions and MetroAccess completed all of its customer trips by 7 p.m. Friday.

The decision to limit train service was made due to heavy snowfall that began to cover the electrified third rail, which is situated eight inches above the ground. The third rail must be clear of snow and ice because it is the source of electricity that powers the trains.

Metro started the weekend with 2,200 tons of bulk rock salt to treat Metro roadways and parking lots and 18,000, 50-pound bags of de-icer for treating sidewalks and platforms. Hundreds of snow-trained employees and contractors have been working throughout the night and into today to treat snowy and icy surfaces at Metrorail stations including platforms, sidewalks and parking facilities.

Metro also is using “heater tape,” which has been installed on sections of track with significant grades/inclines and in critical areas in the rail yards. The heater tape is a cable clipped onto the electrified third rail that is turned on when temperatures dip below the freezing mark. It helps keep the third rail warm enough to prevent ice from forming.

How to get Updates on Winter Weather Conditions

There are a variety of ways for customers to stay informed during a major storm. Metro constantly updates local news media of Metro service changes. Information is also available on Metro’s home page at www.metroopensdoors.com. Customers can also subscribe to e-Alerts and receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess. Metro’s Customer Call Center is closed today to due to the weather.

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News release issued at 11:25 am, February 6, 2010

#10 CNJRoss

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Posted 06 February 2010 - 05:24 PM

For immediate release: February 6, 2010

Metrorail to close at 11 p.m. Saturday
Safety of employees and light ridership drive decision


Metrorail will close at 11 p.m. instead of 3 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6, due to rising concern about employees’ ability to get to and from work safely, and because of light ridership throughout the day.

“Safety is our top priority as we recover from the storm. We need to make sure that our operations personnel who were able to report to work today get the needed time off between shifts so that when they report to work tomorrow, they can perform their jobs safely,” said Metro Acting Deputy General Manager Dave Kubicek.

Road conditions have thwarted the efforts of many Metro employees who had difficulty reporting to work. In some instances, supervisors in SUVs drove to the homes of employees to pick them up and take them to their worksites. If road conditions do not improve, staffing levels may be a challenge for Metro on Sunday and Monday as employees again may be unable to report for duty.

Aiding Metro’s decision to close at midnight is the light ridership reported throughout the day. In addition, Metro learned that the 7 p.m. Washington Wizards game at the Verizon Center has been cancelled. At 3 p.m., Metrorail riders had taken approximately 27,000 trips. On a typical Saturday, Metrorail ridership averages 300,000.

Metro has 86 stations and 106-miles of track. Forty-six stations along 50.5 miles of track are underground and 40 stations along 55.5 miles of track are above ground. The Metrorail system opened at 7 a.m. today (Saturday, Feb. 6) with service to the system’s 46 underground stations. Trains are running every 30 minutes on all lines as follows:

Yellow Line – Pentagon to Crystal City
Red Line – Medical Center to Union Station, and Glenmont to Forest Glen
Orange Line – Ballston to Stadium-Armory
Green Line – Fort Totten to Congress Heights
Blue Line – Ballston to Stadium-Armory


How to get Updates on Winter Weather Conditions
There are a variety of ways for customers to stay informed during a major storm. Metro constantly updates local news media of Metro service changes. Information is also available on Metro’s home page at www.metroopensdoors.com. Customers can also subscribe to e-Alerts and receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess.

News release issued at 4:45 pm, February 6, 2010.




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