WMATA Announces Major Service Changes and Construction Closures for December

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has announced significant service changes and construction closures for the month of December. Starting Sunday, December 15, Metro will boost service on the Green and Yellow lines, adding more frequent trains to these routes. Additionally, WMATA will increase bus service on certain routes and adjust others to enhance overall transit efficiency.

However, from December 20 to December 30, WMATA will undertake major construction work on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines. During this period, several downtown stations will be closed to facilitate improvements to tracks and signaling systems. From December 20 to 26, Farragut West, McPherson Square, and the lower level of Metro Center will be closed. The closure will expand from December 27 to 30 to include Federal Triangle, Smithsonian, and the lower level of L’Enfant Plaza. Free shuttle buses will replace train service between the affected stations, utilizing existing bus lanes on H and I streets to minimize travel disruptions.

WMATA has strategically scheduled these closures during a time when ridership is historically lower, typically 40% lower than usual, to minimize the impact on commuters. This approach aims to avoid months of weekend shutdowns in the same area.

These changes are part of WMATA’s ongoing efforts to improve the overall performance and reliability of the Metro system, ensuring a smoother ride for customers in the long term.