Man Jumps onto Tracks at Courthouse Metro Station
(Updated at 4:15 p.m.) A man jumped onto the tracks at the Courthouse Metro station this afternoon, causing delays and prompting a police response.
The incident happened at 2:52 p.m., when the man intentionally climbed down to the tracks and stood there, about 15 seconds prior to a train entering the station, according to WMATA spokesman Dan Stessel.
“The train operator saw the man and stopped the train in time,” Stessel told ARLnow.com. “Third rail power was taken down, and the man climbed back onto the platform under the supervision of the train operator and the station manager.”
“The man was not injured,” Stessel continued. “He was transported to the hospital for a psychological evaluation.”
Orange Line delays from the incident have since been cleared, according to WMATA.
Photo via @mikekap3
Delays Expected on Blue, Orange Lines This Weekend
Metro riders should expect delays on the Blue and Orange lines this weekend due to maintenance work.
The Blue Line will single track between Arlington Cemetery and Foggy Bottom to allow for fiber-optic cable installation. Orange Line trains will single track between Clarendon and Foggy Bottom, also to allow for fiber-optic cable installation.
Trains on both lines will run every 26 minutes between 10:00 tonight (Friday) and system closing on Sunday.
Delays due to maintenance work are also expected on the Red and Green lines. Metro says the work is part of its larger infrastructure “rebuilding” effort.
“Metro is investing $5.5 billion to install new rail, ties, platforms, escalators, signals, lighting, communication systems, and more,” the agency said in a press release. “It represents the largest capital investment — and work effort — since the system’s original construction in the early 1970s.”
Delays on Blue, Yellow Lines Due to Track Problem
There are significant delays on the Blue and Yellow lines due to a track problem near Reagan National Airport.
The delays are impacting both inbound and outbound trains on both lines. From WMATA:
Metrorail customers on the Blue and Yellow lines will experience delays of approximately
2030-35 minutes this morning as trains share a single track between Braddock Road and Pentagon City. Shortly before 5 a.m., an accidental leak of hydraulic fluid on the outbound track created a slippery condition for trains. Personnel are on the scene working to clear the fluid to allow two-track train operations to resume. The clean up effort is expected to last through rush hour.
Metro Work Will Result in Delays This Weekend
Arlington residents should expect delays on the Metro this weekend.
Work on the Orange, Blue and Yellow lines will result in longer travel times for riders. The work is being done as part of what WMATA terms “the massive effort to rebuild Metrorail.”
Due to testing associated with the Silver Line construction project, the Orange Line will be split into two sections between Arlington and Fairfax County. One section will operate between Vienna and West Falls Church, the other between East Falls Church and New Carrollton. A shuttle bus will be provided between the East and West Falls Church stations. Riders taking the shuttle should add 20 minutes to their travel time, Metro says.
Work on the Blue Line will result in single-tracking between Stadium-Armory and Addison Road, and between Van Dorn Street and Braddock Road. Trains will depart every 20 minutes on either end of the Blue Line. Metro advises riders to expect an extra 15 minutes of travel time.
Bridge work between Braddock Road and Huntington on the Yellow Line will result in trains running every 24 minutes between the Huntington and Mount Vernon Square stations. To continue a trip from Virginia to points north of Mount Vernon Square — like U Street — riders will need to get on the Green Line, which will be running every 16 minutes this weekend.
This weekend’s work will begin at 10:00 p.m. on Friday and continue through system closing on Sunday. See the WMATA website for additional information about work on the Red and Green lines this weekend.
Significant Delays reported at DCA
Weather and an equipment outage are both causing air traffic to back up at Reagan National Airport.
A foggy condition referred to as “low ceiling,” which causes decreased visibility, is apparently combining with at least some of the airport’s approach lights being out of service.
Currently, DCA lists “excessive delays” on its webpage. Average wait times are reportedly hovering around 45 minutes. That’s better than some of the multi-hour delays being experienced in other parts of the Northeast due to the low ceiling.
Be sure to check your flight status with your airline before heading to the airport, or check the FAA’s online flight delay information page.
Delays on Blue and Yellow Lines Due to Cracked Rail
Metro commuters who use the Blue and Yellow Lines are facing delays this morning.
A cracked Yellow Line rail, caused by the recent dramatic downward swing in temperatures, is forcing trains to use a single track near the Pentagon.
The track problem is causing 20-30 minutes delays on the Yellow Line and slight delays on the Blue Line, according to WMATA. As a result, Metro is advising customers to use the Blue Line instead of the Yellow.
Crews will not be able to fix the cracked rail until after the morning rush hour, according to Metro spokesman Dan Stessel.
Flickr pool photo by BrianMKA
Orange Line Delays This Morning
There were significant delays on the Orange Line this morning thanks to a train malfunction in the District.
A train malfunction at McPherson Square forced trains to single track through the station, backing up Orange and Blue Line trains heading into the District from Arlington.
Metro reports that the disabled train has since been cleared, but that delays are continuing in both directions.
Adding to the Metro woes, medics were just dispatched to the Rosslyn Metro station for a report of a sick customer.
Major Delays on Metro Due to Small Fire, Switch Malfunction
A small fire in a light fixture at the Metro Center station is having major repercussions for Metro commuters this morning.
We’re hearing on Twitter that it’s taking 40 minutes just to travel a couple of stops on the Orange Line. Delays have also been reported on the Blue Line.
Feel free to share your Metro horror stories in the comments.
Update at 9:10 a.m. — Metro is now reporting a switch malfunction between the Foggy Bottom and Federal Triangle stations, cutting off Orange and Blue Line service between the two stations. Via Twitter, there are reports of trains being offloaded at Arlington stations.
Reminder: Orange Line to Be Split in Two This Weekend
There will be no rail service between the East and West Falls Church stations on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Metro is splitting the Orange Line into two sections this weekend to facilitate work on the Dulles Metrorail project.
Shuttle buses will run every 10 minutes between the stations. Orange Line riders should add 30 minutes to their travel plans.
The work and the split will also be in effect on the weekends of June 5-6 and June 12-13.
