Metro’s planned summer shutdown of a portion of the Red Line begins Monday, July 6, as crews start major construction projects that will continue through Saturday, Sept. 6.
During the closure, trains will not operate between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights. Red Line service will continue to run every six minutes during the day and every ten minutes late at night in two separate segments:
- Shady Grove to North Bethesda
- Friendship Heights to Glenmont
To help riders, Metro will provide free shuttle buses throughout the closure. Local shuttle buses will stop at North Bethesda, Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, Bethesda, and Friendship Heights approximately every 5 to 8 minutes. Express shuttle buses will operate directly between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights, with an average travel time of about 26 minutes.
Free parking will also be available at North Bethesda and Grosvenor-Strathmore stations during the construction period. The work includes construction of a second mezzanine at Bethesda station to connect with the future Purple Line, platform rehabilitation at Grosvenor-Strathmore, and maintenance of the elevated rail structure over Rockville Pike between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Medical Center.
Metro, in coordination with the Maryland Department of Transportation and Montgomery County Department of Transportation, will also implement approximately 7.5 lane miles of dedicated bus-only lanes along Rockville Pike to help shuttle buses move more efficiently. Additional transportation options during the shutdown include:
- Half-price MARC Train fares from Rockville and Garrett Park stations to Union Station and Silver Spring through Sept. 4 during weekday morning and evening service.
- Metrobus routes M70, M12, M42, and M44.
- Montgomery County Ride On Route 40, Route 37, and a temporary Glenmont Express Shuttle connecting Germantown, Shady Grove, and Glenmont.
- A free 30-day Capital Bikeshare membership for Montgomery County residents.
Metro advises riders to allow extra travel time and plan ahead throughout the two-month construction project.
