Jump to content


Photo

WMATA prepares for major winter storm


  • Please log in to reply
36 replies to this topic

#11 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 06 February 2010 - 05:51 PM

For immediate release: February 6, 2010

No above ground rail service, Metrobus or MetroAccess service on Sunday, Feb. 7
Snow continues to impact Metro services


The Metrorail system will continue operating underground-only and Metrobus and MetroAccess will remain closed tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 7. Officials will continue to evaluate rail and road conditions throughout the day on Sunday in hopes of expanding service if conditions improve.

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. Tomorrow morning, the Metrorail system will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight with trains servicing stations at 30-minute intervals to the underground stations 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

“The region saw near-record amounts of snowfall and we are working safely and diligently to clear the snow and ice from the tracks so that we can expand our service area and resume service to our above-ground stations,” said Dave Kubicek, Metro’s Deputy General Manager for Operations. “Our snow-clearing efforts have been more challenging than usual because of the heavy amount of snowfall.”

Throughout this evening and into tomorrow, heavy-duty diesel-powered trains will continue clearing and de-icing the exposed above-ground sections of track, to get them in shape for moving trains.

Road conditions have thwarted the efforts of many Metro employees who have had difficulty reporting to work. In some instances, supervisors in SUVs have gone to the homes of employees to pick them up and take them to their worksites.

Metrorail employees and contractors who were able to report to work have been working throughout the day and will continue their efforts tomorrow to clear the rails of ice and snow and to clear platforms, sidewalks, parking facilities and pathways to rail stations. They have been focusing mainly on the entrance areas of underground stations, including shoveling of snow off of exposed escalators.

Contractors also are in the process of clearing paths to above-ground stations in preparation for their reopening. On Monday customers should expect to see surface parking facilities piled with snow, consuming spaces where vehicles usually park. The top level of parking decks also are expected to have snow on them on Monday. Metro officials anticipate having 75 percent of parking spaces available at all parking facilities.

Dozens of railcars were stored in the underground tunnels Friday night to keep them free of snow and ice, however hundreds of railcars are still under snow in Metro’s rail yards. The heavy equipment used to clear the rail yards is still focusing on clearing above-ground tracks. Once the tracks are clear, that equipment will then be refocused on clearing the rail yards in preparation for service on Monday.

As snow accumulated on the rails on Friday, Feb. 5, Metrorail officials decided to limit train service to its 40 underground stations starting at 11 p.m. Metrobus service stopped at 9 p.m., and MetroAccess operations were completed by 7 p.m. Friday evening.

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.

###


News release issued at 5:44 pm, February 6, 2010.

#12 AlanB

AlanB

    Member

  • Global Moderator
  • PipPip
  • 2166 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Queens, NY

Posted 06 February 2010 - 06:04 PM

For immediate release: February 6, 2010

Metrorail to close at 11 p.m. Saturday


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.

Aiding Metro’s decision to close at midnight is the light ridership reported throughout the day.


Ok guys, which is it. 11:00 PM closing or Midnight? :unsure: :unsure: :blink:


Nothing like putting out such an important notice with conflicting info. :rolleyes:
Alan,

Take care and take trains!

#13 jis

jis

    Member

  • Global Moderator
  • PipPip
  • 1753 posts

Posted 06 February 2010 - 08:34 PM

Ok guys, which is it. 11:00 PM closing or Midnight? :unsure: :unsure: :blink:

Nothing like putting out such an important notice with conflicting info. :rolleyes:

I was talking to a friend of mine in Potomac MD. She has been without power since last night, when apparently a couple of trees came crashing down taking out both power and telephone lines. The streets within the developments have not been touched by a plow yet. So it is no wonder that there is light ridership on the Metro. People simply cannot get out of their homes to get to the stations even if they wanted to, unless they do so using their skis. I wonder what Metro's policy is regarding carrying skis :unsure: . Also there is an emergency decree in force at least in MD which probably makes taking a car out on the road not a good idea anyway.

#14 KevinKorell

KevinKorell

    Board Leader

  • Sr. Admin
  • PipPip
  • 82315 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Lakewood, NJ
  • Interests:Making America TRAIN again!

Posted 07 February 2010 - 07:19 PM

Metrorail to provide underground only service on Sunday



No bus or paratransit service planned for Sunday

Metrorail

Metrorail will run underground only service on Sunday, Feb. 7. Metrorail is running underground only as follows:

Yellow Line – Pentagon to Crystal City
Red Line – Medical Center to Union Station and Glenmont to Forest Glen (not reflected in the service map)
Orange Line – Ballston to Stadium-Armory
Green Line – Fort Totten to Congress Heights
Blue Line – Ballston to Stadium-Armory

Metrobus

Metrobus will not operate on Sunday, Feb. 7, due to road conditions.

MetroAccess

MetroAccess will not operate on Sunday, Feb. 7 due to road conditions.



Kevin Korell


OTOL Board Leader


Lakewood, NJ


#15 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 08 February 2010 - 01:32 PM

For immediate release: February 7, 2010

Underground-only Metrorail and limited Metrobus service expected Monday
Metro staff continue to clear above-ground tracks


For Monday morning, Feb. 8, commuters should expect limited underground Metrorail service to start at 7 a.m., and very limited Metrobus service from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., as icy conditions on roadways and Metrorail tracks continue to be a barrier to providing safe service. MetroAccess service for Monday will be suspended for the entire day.

Metro staff continue efforts in clearing the above-ground tracks. However, continued re-icing of the electrified third rail and winds are blowing snow back onto the tracks are hampering Metro’s ability to restore service to the above ground tracks.

Fewer than two dozen Metrobus lines will be in service on Monday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. due to snowy and icy conditions that persist on the region’s roadways. Metrobuses will stick to snow emergency routes to start the day. Customers may want to take advantage of the next bus prediction technology to get an idea when the next bus will be arriving by logging onto Metro’s web site or calling 202-637-7000 and saying, “Next Bus.” Buses are expected to be moving slowly on the roads, which remain slippery.

Limited service will be established tomorrow on the following bus routes in the District of Columbia: the U8 line (Minn. Ave – Capitol Heights), the 64 line (Georgia Ave-Petworth– Fort Totten), the 50 line (14th and Colorado Ave) the 70 line (Silver Spring – Archives), the S4 line (Silver Spring – Federal Triangle) the 30 line (Friendship Heights – Potomac Ave) and the A line (Southern Ave to Anacostia). In Northern Virginia, the 16 line (Pentagon – Baileys Crossroads) the 1C line (Dunn Loring), 2C line (Dunn Loring), 17 line (Braddock Road) and 28 line (Alexandria – Tysons Corner). In Maryland, the Z2 and Z8 line (Silver Spring), the Q line (Silver Spring-Shady Grove), the Y line (Silver Spring –Norbeck Road), the F1 and F2 line (Takoma – Cheverly), the J2 line (Bethesda – Silver Spring), the J7/J9 line (Bethesda – Lake Forest Mall), and the P12 line (Eastover – Addison Road).

These routes are subject to change depending on the conditions of the roads. Bus service operations managers will monitor all of these areas with an eye toward returning service to those lines when road conditions improve and it is deemed safe for buses to drive along those streets.

Bus officials continue to stay in touch with the local departments of transportation to let officials in the local jurisdictions know where some of the biggest challenges exist for providing bus service in hopes that those areas can be cleared of snow and treated for icy conditions to allow for safe bus passage.

Metro officials cautioned riders to be mindful of slippery roads, which are being used as walkways because most sidewalks remain covered with snow. “Take your time when boarding a bus, as we know that there are huge piles of snow lining the edges of streets and blocking the bus stops,” said Dave Kubicek, Metro’s Acting Deputy General Manager for Operations. “Please do not to run to catch a bus or a train as it’s not worth a fall that could cause an injury.”

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 remain closed. On Monday, trains will be servicing stations at 24- to 30-minute intervals to the underground stations as follows:

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

The greatest challenge facing Metro’s track department at the above-ground stations over the last 36 hours is the continuous blowing and drifting of snow and extreme ice build-up along the third rail, which provides electricity to Metrorail trains. If there is a disruption of electricity from the third rail to the train, trains will not be able to move.

Clearing the above-ground tracks is a process that takes several steps. The heavy duty diesel-powered equipment, known as prime movers, clear the majority of the snow and ice from the two-electrified tracks. Once they are finished doing their job on the service tracks, they shift their focus into the rail yards, where hundreds of trains and miles of additional tracks remain under almost two feet of snow. Dozens of railcars were stored in the underground tunnels Friday night to keep them free of snow and ice, however hundreds of railcars had to be stored in the rail yards, where they remain buried.

Once the prime movers are off the rails, trains equipped with de-icing equipment run on the tracks to ensure that the electrified third rail is clear of snow and ice. These trains apply a de-icing agent and they make several sweeps of the tracks. For that reason they are referred to as “polishers.” The next step to prepare the tracks for service is to clear the snow and ice from interlockings or switches, which allow trains to switch tracks, reverse direction or turn around. For instance, if a train becomes disabled, the trains behind the disabled train can only move around it by switching tracks at an interlocking. If the interlockings are not clear of the snow and ice, there is no way to maneuver around disabled trains.

As stretches of track are cleared of snow and ice, and the tracks are deemed safe for moving passenger trains, Metro officials are likely to resume service to above-ground stations in phases.

Hundreds of Metrorail employees and contractors who were able to get to their worksites were working throughout the weekend and will to continue to work through Sunday night into Monday morning to clear tracks, platforms, sidewalks, parking facilities and pathways to rail stations. In addition to the tracks, employees and contractors have been focusing on clearing the entrance areas of underground stations, including shoveling of snow off of exposed escalators.

Once the above ground Metrorail stations open, customers can expect to see surface parking facilities piled with snow, consuming approximately 25 percent of the spaces where vehicles usually park. The top level of parking decks are expected to have large snow piles on them as the surfaces are cleared. Parking lot clearing also will continue throughout Sunday night.

Heavy accumulation of snow on the rails on Friday, Feb. 5, forced Metrorail officials to limit train service to underground stations starting at 11 p.m. when rapidly deteriorating weather conditions impacted the safe movement of trains. Metrobus service also stopped at 9 p.m. on Friday due to unsafe road conditions.

Metrorail ridership over the weekend was extremely light. On Friday, Feb. 5, an estimated 516,399 passenger trips were recorded. On Saturday, Feb. 6, an estimated 61,392 passenger trips were recorded. Through 7 p.m., on Sunday, Feb. 7, an estimated 69,446 trips have been recorded.

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. More than 500 snow-trained employees plus contractors have been working day and night throughout the weekend to treat snowy and icy surfaces at Metrorail stations.

How to get Updates on Winter Weather Conditions

There are a variety of ways for customers to stay informed about Metro service levels. 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 will provide recorded information. The Customer Call Center will attempt to open sometime tomorrow morning, depending on what time employees might be able to get to their offices.

###



News release issued at 8:27 pm, February 7, 2010.

#16 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 08 February 2010 - 01:35 PM

For immediate release: February 8, 2010

Underground-only Metrorail and limited Metrobus service on Monday
Metro staff continue to clear above-ground tracks


For Monday, Feb. 8, commuters should expect limited underground Metrorail service through midnight, and very limited Metrobus service from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., as icy conditions on roadways and Metrorail tracks continue to be a barrier to providing safe service. MetroAccess service for Monday will be suspended for the entire day.

Metro staff continue efforts in clearing the above-ground tracks. However, continued re-icing of the electrified third rail and winds are blowing snow back onto the tracks are hampering Metro’s ability to restore service to the above ground tracks.

Fewer than two dozen Metrobus lines will be in service on Monday, Feb. 8, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. due to snowy and icy conditions that persist on the region’s roadways. Metrobuses will stick to snow emergency routes to start the day. Customers may want to take advantage of the next bus prediction technology to get an idea when the next bus will be arriving by logging onto Metro’s web site or calling 202-637-7000 and saying, “Next Bus.” Buses are expected to be moving slowly on the roads, which remain slippery.

Limited Metrobus service has been established on the following bus routes:
District of Columbia

64 line (Fort Totten – Georgia Ave-Petworth) will terminate at Georgia Ave-Petworth Metrorail station
50 line (14th and Colorado Ave) will terminate at Archives-Navy Memorial Metrorail station.
70 line (Silver Spring – Archives) will terminate at Canal and P St.
S4 line (Silver Spring – Federal Triangle) will terminate at Archives-Navy Memorial Metrorail station.
30 line (Friendship Heights – Potomac Ave) will terminate at Potomac Ave Metrorail station.

Suburban Maryland
Z2 and Z8 line (Silver Spring), will terminate at Briggs Chaney Road
P12 line (Eastover – Addison Road).

Northern Virginia

16 line (Pentagon – Baileys Crossroads) will terminate at Leesburg Pike and Columbia Pike.

These routes are subject to change depending on the conditions of the roads. Bus service operations managers will monitor all of these areas with an eye toward returning service to those lines when road conditions improve and it is deemed safe for buses to drive along those streets.

Bus officials continue to stay in touch with the local departments of transportation to let officials in the local jurisdictions know where some of the biggest challenges exist for providing bus service in hopes that those areas can be cleared of snow and treated for icy conditions to allow for safe bus passage.

Metro officials cautioned riders to be mindful of slippery roads, which are being used as walkways because most sidewalks remain covered with snow. “Take your time when boarding a bus, as we know that there are huge piles of snow lining the edges of streets and blocking the bus stops,” said Dave Kubicek, Metro’s Acting Deputy General Manager for Operations. “Please do not to run to catch a bus or a train as it’s not worth a fall that could cause an injury.”

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 remain closed. On Monday, trains will be servicing stations at 24- to 30-minute intervals through midnight to the underground stations as follows:

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

The greatest challenge facing Metro’s track department at the above-ground stations over the last 36 hours is the continuous blowing and drifting of snow and extreme ice build-up along the third rail, which provides electricity to Metrorail trains. If there is a disruption of electricity from the third rail to the train, trains will not be able to move.

Clearing the above-ground tracks is a process that takes several steps. The heavy duty diesel-powered equipment, known as prime movers, clear the majority of the snow and ice from the two-electrified tracks. Once they are finished doing their job on the service tracks, they shift their focus into the rail yards, where hundreds of trains and miles of additional tracks remain under almost two feet of snow. Dozens of railcars were stored in the underground tunnels Friday night to keep them free of snow and ice, however hundreds of railcars had to be stored in the rail yards, where they remain buried.

Once the prime movers are off the rails, trains equipped with de-icing equipment run on the tracks to ensure that the electrified third rail is clear of snow and ice. These trains apply a de-icing agent and they make several sweeps of the tracks. For that reason they are referred to as “polishers.” The next step to prepare the tracks for service is to clear the snow and ice from interlockings or switches, which allow trains to switch tracks, reverse direction or turn around. For instance, if a train becomes disabled, the trains behind the disabled train can only move around it by switching tracks at an interlocking. If the interlockings are not clear of the snow and ice, there is no way to maneuver around disabled trains.

As stretches of track are cleared of snow and ice, and the tracks are deemed safe for moving passenger trains, Metro officials are likely to resume service to above-ground stations in phases.

Hundreds of Metrorail employees and contractors who were able to get to their worksites were working throughout the weekend and will to continue to work through Sunday night into Monday morning to clear tracks, platforms, sidewalks, parking facilities and pathways to rail stations. In addition to the tracks, employees and contractors have been focusing on clearing the entrance areas of underground stations, including shoveling of snow off of exposed escalators.

Once the above ground Metrorail stations open, customers can expect to see surface parking facilities piled with snow, consuming approximately 25 percent of the spaces where vehicles usually park. The top level of parking decks are expected to have large snow piles on them as the surfaces are cleared. Parking lot clearing also will continue throughout Sunday night.

Heavy accumulation of snow on the rails on Friday, Feb. 5, forced Metrorail officials to limit train service to underground stations starting at 11 p.m. when rapidly deteriorating weather conditions impacted the safe movement of trains. Metrobus service also stopped at 9 p.m. on Friday due to unsafe road conditions.

How to get Updates on Winter Weather Conditions

There are a variety of ways for customers to stay informed about Metro service levels. 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 will provide recorded information. The Customer Call Center is closed. The Center will attempt to open sometime today, depending on what time employees might be able to get to their offices.

###



News release issued at 9:39 am, February 8, 2010.

#17 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 08 February 2010 - 03:53 PM

For immediate release: February 8, 2010

Metro postpones weekend track work, emergency response exercises
Focus is on resuming Metrobus, Metrorail, MetroAccess service


Metro is postponing Presidents Day weekend track work on the Blue and Orange lines and two emergency response exercises due to last weekend’s record snowfall and ongoing recovery efforts.

The major track rehabilitation project that would have closed the Rosslyn and Arlington Cemetery Metrorail stations will be rescheduled at a later date.

In addition, two emergency response exercises that were scheduled for this Friday, Feb. 12, and Saturday, Feb. 13, have been postponed.

“Priority number one this week is to dig out from this record snowfall and resume operations on Metrobus, Metrorail and MetroAccess,” said Dave Kubicek, Metro’s Acting Deputy General Manager of Operations. “With additional snow in the forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, we must focus all of our efforts on safe operations and continuing to help get people where they need to go.”

###


News release issued at 3:08 pm, February 8, 2010.

#18 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 08 February 2010 - 08:13 PM

For immediate release: February 8, 2010

Limited Metrorail, Metrobus, MetroAccess service expected Tuesday
New snow storm likely to limit afternoon, evening service


On Tuesday, Feb. 9, the Metrorail system will open at 5 a.m. with limited service and may close early depending on weather conditions as more snow and below-freezing temperatures are expected. Fifteen stations will remain closed due to heavy snow drifts on the tracks. A combination of six- and eight-car trains will operate at 30-minute intervals and travel at maximum speeds of 35 miles per hour. Limited Metrobus service will begin at 5 a.m.

MetroAccess will operate limited service between 8 a.m. and noon Tuesday for customers whose trips are associated with life-sustaining medical needs such as chemotherapy and dialysis. After noon, MetroAccess will provide return-trips only to help get customers home.

Metrorail service for Tuesday morning (Feb. 9)

• Red Line Limited Service: Medical Center to Union Station and Glenmont to Forest Glen
• Blue Line Limited Service: Franconia-Springfield to Stadium-Armory
• Green Line Full Service: Greenbelt to Branch Avenue
• Orange Line Full Service: Vienna to New Carrollton
• Yellow Line Full Service: Huntington to Fort Totten

Metrorail stations that will remain closed on Tuesday include Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook, White Flint, Grosvenor-Strathmore, New York Ave-Florida Ave-Gallaudet U, Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood, Brookland-CUA, Silver Spring and Takoma Metrorail stations on the Red Line and Benning Road, Capitol Heights, Addison Road-Seat Pleasant, Morgan Boulevard and Largo Town Center Metrorail stations on the Blue Line all due to snow drifts on the tracks of three to six feet.

Approximately 75 percent of Metro parking spaces will be available for parking.

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.

Metrobus service

Metrobus will operate a modified schedule on the following bus routes beginning at 5 a.m. Tuesday with service planned for the routes listed below. All bus routes are subject to change depending on road conditions.

Local jurisdictions are responsible for clearing bus stops. Local residents can help their neighbors by shoveling the bus stops along the sidewalks near their homes so that people are not standing in the icy streets while traffic is passing.

District of Columbia
31 (Friendship Heights to Foggy Bottom-GWU)
32 and 36 (Friendship Heights to Potomac Ave)
34 (Archives to Branch Ave)
52 and 54 (From 14th Street and Colorado Ave to L'Enfant Plaza)
64 (Fort Totten to Georgia Ave-Petworth)
70 (Silver Spring to Canal and P Street, SW)
71 (Silver Spring to Archives) will terminate at Canal and P Street, SW
79 (Silver Spring to Archives)
80 (Fort Totten to Gallery Pl-Chinatown)
82 (Rhode Island Ave to Gallery Pl-Chinatown)
P6 (Anacostia to Eckington)
S4 (Silver Spring to Federal Triangle)
U8 (Capitol Heights to Benning Heights)
X2 (Minnesota Ave to Union Station)
V7 line (Deanwood to Potomac Ave)

Maryland
J2 (Bethesda to Silver Spring)
P12 (Eastover to Addison Road), bypassing United Medical Center
Q2 (Silver Spring to Wheaton)
Y5, Y7 and Y8 (Wheaton to Liesure World)
Z8 and Z9 (Silver Spring to Briggs Chaney Road Park and Ride

Virginia
1C (Fair Oaks to Dunn Loring)
2C (Washington Boulevard to Vienna)
16 line (Pentagon to Baileys Crossroads)
28A (Alexandria to Tysons Corner), bypassing Seven Corners and Southern Towers

MetroAccess
MetroAccess will operate limited service between 8 a.m. and noon Tuesday for customers whose trips are associated with life-sustaining medical needs such as chemotherapy and dialysis. After noon, MetroAccess will provide return-trips only to help get customers home.

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 7:41 pm, February 8, 2010.

#19 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 09 February 2010 - 06:52 PM

:)


For immediate release: February 9, 2010

All Metrorail stations now open
Weather conditions may limit service later this evening


All Metrorail stations are open as of 2:30 p.m. today, Feb. 9, when service resumed on the Blue Line between Franconia-Springfield and Largo Town Center Metrorail stations.

Metrorail trains on the Red, Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green Lines are operating every 20 minutes, and all 86 Metrorail stations are open.

Metro officials are keeping a close eye on weather conditions and may decide to reduce Metrobus or Metrorail service later this evening as more snow and below-freezing temperatures are expected.

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 3:12 pm, February 9, 2010.

#20 CNJRoss

CNJRoss

    Administrator

  • Admin
  • PipPip
  • 43390 posts
  • Gender:Male
  • Location:Fairfax, VA

Posted 09 February 2010 - 06:56 PM

:o

For immediate release: February 9, 2010

Metrorail limited to underground; no Metrobus, MetroAccess service Wednesday
Snow storm likely to limit transit service significantly


Metrorail service is expected to be limited to underground stations only on Wednesday, February 10, and there will be no Metrobus or MetroAccess service due to the heavy snowfall expected tonight (Feb. 9) and tomorrow (Feb. 10).

The Metrorail system will open on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 5 a.m. with service limited to underground stations only. Metrobuses and MetroAccess vehicles will remain parked because of hazardous road conditions.

Metro staff will monitor conditions throughout the day and change service levels if appropriate. If the weather predictions hold true, Metro will continue efforts to clear the above-ground tracks, in an attempt to resume above-ground rail service on Thursday. Snow is forecast to be seven to 14 inches with heavy winds expected to cause heavy snowdrifts on the tracks and the region’s roadways.

The Metrorail system can operate well in snowfall of less than eight inches, however once the snow accumulation tops eight inches, it covers the electrified third rail, which is critical to providing power to move the trains. Additionally, heavy snowfall often damages electronic components located in the undercarriage of rail cars.

The Metrorail system consists of 86 stations and 106 miles of track. Forty stations along 55.5 miles of track are above ground and 46 stations along 50.5 miles of track are underground. All 40 above-ground stations will be closed. On Wednesday, trains will be servicing underground stations at intervals of 24 to 30 minutes from opening until midnight as follows:

• The Red Line will be split into two segments. It will operate between Union Station and Medical Center Metrorail stations and between Glenmont and Forest Glen Metrorail stations.
• The Blue and Orange Lines will both operate between Ballston and Stadium-Armory Metrorail stations.
• The Green Line will run between Fort Totten and Congress Heights Metrorail stations.
• The Yellow Line will run only between the Pentagon and Crystal City Metrorail stations.


Metro is looking to store much of its rail fleet underground tonight to help protect the rail cars from the damage caused by ice and snow.

The biggest challenges facing Metrorail at the above-ground stations will be heavy snowfall, snow drifts that will cover tracks after they are cleared, and ice along the electrified third rail. That ice will prevent the transfer of electricity from the tracks to the train.

Metro officials are optimistic that some above-ground service will be restored on Thursday and that some bus and paratransit service will resume as road conditions allow.

There is a multi-stepped approach to clearing tracks of ice and snow. A heavy-duty diesel powered train called a prime mover clears the majority of snow and ice from the tracks. Then those trains move to the rail yards, where more miles of track are used to store hundreds of rail cars. Once the prime movers are off of the rails, trains equipped with de-icing equipment are run on the tracks to keep them clear of snow and ice build-up. These trains are used to apply a de-icing agent and are referred to as rail “polishers” because they go back and forth keeping the third rail ice-free. The next step to prepare tracks for service is to clear the snow and ice from interlocking or switches, which allows trains to switch tracks, reverse direction or turn around. If an interlocking is not clear of snow or ice, there is no way to maneuver around a train that becomes disabled.

As stretches of track are cleared of snow and ice, the tracks are deemed safe for moving passenger trains.

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 also can subscribe to receive Metro’s news releases and e-Alerts to receive up-to-date service disruption information on Metrorail and MetroAccess.

News release issued at 6:28 pm, February 9, 2010.




1 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 1 guests, 0 anonymous users