For Immediate Release
April 23, 2020

 

**Update August 17, 2020: Parking fees have been reinstated at reopened Silver Line stations including Wiehle-Reston East on Monday, August 17, 2020.

 

** Update May 7, 2020: Parking at the Wiehle-Reston-East Metrorail Station will be FREE for the duration of WMATA’s work connecting the six new Metrorail Silver Line stations to the existing transit network. The parking fees will reinstated at each station as rail service resumes on each line. **

Today, the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) announced a new plan for construction activities for the summer of 2020 with a full closure of all Metrorail Orange and Silver Line stations in Fairfax County. These adjustments to WMATA’s current construction efforts on the Silver Line and the up-coming platform reconstruction efforts on the Orange Line address the health and safety of WMATA’s workers operating the rail system and the contractors working on these two major capital projects. It also considers the low ridership on Metrorail related to the impacts of COVID-19 and the current Stay-at-Home Orders in place across the National Capital Region

The expanded station closures will advance the two largest capital projects in Virginia - the demolition and reconstruction of the station platforms at four Metrorail Orange Line stations and work to connect the six new Metrorail Silver Line stations to the existing transit network. The closures begin Memorial Day weekend 2020 and are expected to continue through the fall. 

Three Things to Know – How is Orange and Silver Line Service Impacted

1. All stations west of Ballston Metrorail Station on the Orange and Silver Lines will be closed beginning Saturday, May 23, 2020. The stations to be closed are:
   • Orange Line - East Falls Church, West Falls Church, Dunn Loring, Vienna
   • Silver Line - McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill, Wiehle-Reston East 
2. All Orange Line trains will begin and end service at Ballston. Service will operate from Ballston to New Carrollton.  
3. There will be no Silver Line service for the duration of the station closures. 

 Telework Option for Employers and Employees

• Employers may be interested in allowing or expanding  telework arrangements and/or flexible work schedules. Technical assistance, incentives and tax credits are available for employers. Free telework support via TeleworkVA! is available by calling 866-469-1010.
• Telework Subsidy for Employers in the I-66 Corridor: The Transform 66 project has boosted the financial incentive with a new subsidy of up to $10,000 for Northern Virginia employers within the greater I-66 corridor. More at http://www.teleworkva.org/NorthernVirginia
• To learn more contact Fairfax County Commuter Services (FCCS) Employer Outreach Team at 703-877-5641, TTY 711, or email commuterservices@fairfaxcounty.gov.

 

FREE Shuttle Bus Service

WMATA will be offering FREE express and local shuttle bus service to provide alternative travel options for those who must travel and use the Metrorail system. The shuttle buses will operate seven days a week during the operating hours of the Metrorail system, currently 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. on weekends. They will operate approximately every 10 minutes on weekdays and approximately every 15 minutes on weekends. Buses will not stop at stations that are currently closed due to WAMTA's response to COVID-19.

FREE Orange and Silver Line Shuttle Service 

• Orange Line Express - Direct service between Vienna and Ballston Metrorail Stations.
• Orange Line Local - Service between Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church and Ballston Metrorail Stations.
• Silver Line Local - Service between Wiehle-Reston East, Spring Hill, Tysons Corner and Ballston Metrorail Stations. 

Parking at Closed Metrorail Stations

• Orange Line Stations - Parking will be FREE at the Vienna and Dunn Loring Metrorail stations through the end of the summer shutdown. No customer parking is available at East Falls Church Station due to construction activity.
• NEW Silver Line Station – Parking will be FREE at the Wiehle Reston-East Metrorail station through the end of the summer shutdown.

Fairfax Connector Service Connects to Vienna and Wiehle Reston East Metrorail Stations

Fairfax Connector is currently operating reduced service related to the impacts of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of Fairfax Connector passengers and operators. However, several Fairfax Connector routes will take those who must travel during this time to the Dunn Loring, Vienna, Tysons Corner, and Wiehle Reston-East Metrorail Stations so that they can connect to the free shuttle bus service.

Routes that connect to the Vienna Metrorail Station

• Routes operating regular service to Vienna:  461, 463, 466.
• Routes that will operate Saturday service during weekdays to Vienna: 630, 640, 650.

Routes that connect to Dunn Loring Metrorail Station

• Routes operating regular service to Dunn Loring:  401, 402, 462 and 467

Routes that connect to the Wiehle Reston-East Metrorail Station

• Routes operating regular service to Wiehle Reston-East: 950, 951, 952, 980, RIBS 1, and RIBS 3.
• Routes that will operate Saturday service during weekdays to Wiehle Reston-East: 505, 551, 558, 559, 981, 983, and RIBS 2 

Routes that connect to Tysons Corner Metrorail Station

• Routes operating regular service to Tysons: 401, 402, 462, 463, 467, and 721

Stay Up to Date on the Project and Travel Information

• Metrorail and Metrobus Passenger Information:

  • Subscribe to MetroAlerts and visit www.wmata.com/platforms.  

• Commuter and Employer Alerts:

  • Sign-up for Fairfax County text/email alerts – select “Commuter Alerts” under “Department of Transportation”. 

• Fairfax Connector Passenger Information:

  • Subscribe to BusTracker alerts; visit www.fairfaxconnector.com; Call 703-339-7200, TTY 711, 5 a.m.-10 p.m. M-F, 7 a.m. – 9 p.m. Sat-Sun; or email fairfaxconnector@fairfaxcounty.gov. 

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