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Arlington’s SafeTrack Surge Response

[Links on this page may no longer be active as SafeTrack has ended]

For Surge 16 (June 17-25)

The final surge, SafeTrack Surge #16, will shut down a five-mile segment of the Red Line between Shady Grove and Twinbrook for nine days. Two stations, Shady Grove and Rockville, will be closed for the duration of the surge, with rail service replaced by free shuttle buses running at all times of the day.

Arlington is encouraging telework/flex time, ridesharing, biking and walking – options other than driving alone:

  • Arlington Transportation Partners is reaching out to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and to provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has car-free travel option resources for residents and businesses.
  • Arlington County Commuter Services Hispanic Marketing offers SafeTrack information in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For Surge 15 (May 16-June 15)

SafeTrack Surge #15 will result in a shutdown on a portion of the Orange Line between New Carrollton and Stadium-Armory stations. New Carrollton, Landover, Cheverly, Deanwood and Minnesota Ave stations will be closed. Orange Line trains will operate near normal service between Vienna and Largo Town Center.

Arlington is encouraging telework/flex time, ridesharing, biking and walking – options other than driving alone:

  • Arlington Transportation Partners is reaching out to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and to provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has car-free travel option resources for residents and businesses.
  • Arlington County Commuter Services Hispanic Marketing offers SafeTrack information in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For Surge 14 (April 15-May 14)

SafeTrack Surge #14 will result in a shutdown of a portion of the Green Line between the Prince George’s Plaza, College Park-U of Md and Greenbelt Metrorail stations. No Yellow Rush+ trains will be in service during the surge.

Arlington is encouraging telework/flex time, ridesharing, biking and walking – options other than driving alone:

  • Arlington Transportation Partners is reaching out to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and to provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has car-free travel option resources for residents and businesses.
  • Arlington County Commuter Services Hispanic Marketing offers SafeTrack information in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For Surge 13 (March 4-April 12)

During SafeTrack Surge #13, Blue and Yellow line trains will run less frequently due to a 24/7 work zone between the Braddock Road and Huntington/Van Dorn Street Metro stations. All Blue and Yellow line trains will share a single track through the work zone.

Arlington County is continuing to encourage alternate work/travel options, while offering ART bus service as an alternative to the Blue Line.

Local bus service

  • ART 43 will operate every 10 minutes during weekday rush hours between Crystal City and the Rosslyn-Courthouse area; every 20 minutes during midday, evenings and weekends.
    • Larger buses will be used to accommodate additional passengers on ART 43.
  • ART 42 will operate weekdays every 18 minutes during rush hours between Pentagon, Virginia Square, Clarendon, Courthouse and Ballston.

Alternate work and travel options

Arlington is encouraging telework/flex time, ridesharing, biking and walking – options other than driving alone:

  • Arlington Transportation Partners is reaching out to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and to provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has car-free travel option resources for residents and businesses.
  • Arlington County Commuter Services Hispanic Marketing offers SafeTrack information in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For Surge 12 (Feb. 11-28)

SafeTrack Surge #12 will affect a portion of the Blue Line between Rosslyn and Pentagon stations. No trains will run between Rosslyn and Pentagon, and the Arlington Cemetery Station will be closed.

Arlington County is continuing to encourage alternate work/travel options, while offering ART bus service as an alternative to the Blue Line.

Local bus service

  • ART 43 will operate every 10 minutes during weekday rush hours between Crystal City and the Rosslyn-Courthouse area; every 20 minutes during midday, evenings and weekends.
    • Larger buses will be used to accommodate additional passengers on ART 43.
  • ART 42 will operate weekdays every 18 minutes during rush hours between Pentagon, Virginia Square, Clarendon, Courthouse and Ballston.

Alternate work and travel options

Arlington is encouraging telework/flex time, ridesharing, biking and walking – options other than driving alone:

  • Arlington Transportation Partners is reaching out to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and to provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has car-free travel option resources for residents and businesses.
  • Arlington County Commuter Services Hispanic Marketing offers SafeTrack information in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For Surge 11 (Nov. 28-Dec. 20)

SafeTrack Surge 11 brings continuous single tracking for Orange and Silver Line trains between East Falls Church and West Falls Church.

To supplement Metro’s efforts to assist travelers, Arlington County is continuing to encourage alternate work/travel options, providing supplemental ART bus service, and making temporary street changes around Arlington’s Orange Line Metro stations.

Street operations changes

  • Temporary changes around Arlington’s Orange Line Metrorail stations will accommodate additional Metro and regional buses during rush hours.
    • These changes include removing some street parking, converting some street sections to bus-only and adjusting traffic signal operations, as needed, to accommodate increased bus service.

Supplemental local bus service

  • Arlington Transit will use larger buses for ART 55 (East Falls Church-Lee Highway-Rosslyn) to add capacity along the affected section of the Orange/Silver Line.

Alternate work and travel options

Arlington is encouraging telework/flex time, ridesharing, biking and walking – options other than driving alone:

  • Arlington Transportation Partners is reaching out to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has car-free travel option resources for residents and businesses.
  • Arlington County Commuter Services Hispanic Marketing offers SafeTrack information in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For those who bike, these changes are continued from prior surges:

  • Capital Bikeshare station at the East Falls Church Metrorail station, and additional capacity at Bikeshare stations at the Ballston and Rosslyn Metrorail stations.
  • Expanded bike parking capacity at Ballston Metrorail station.
  • Custom Bike Trains arranged for County residents upon request – contact info@BikeArlington.com

For Surge 10 (Oct. 29-Nov. 22)

Surge 10 involves a Red Line segment shutdown between NoMa-Gallaudet U and Fort Totten from Oct. 29 through Nov. 22. No trains will be running at any time between NoMa-Gallaudet U and Fort Totten, and the Rhode Island Avenue and Brookland stations will be closed.

Arlington County is supplementing Metro’s efforts to assist travelers by continuing to encourage alternate work/travel options.

Street operations changes – No changes.

Supplemental local bus service – No changes.

Alternate work and travel options

  • Arlington Transportation Partners continues outreach to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has travel option resources for residents and businesses – for example, assistance for vanpooling and other car-free options.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Services provides SafeTrack information in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For those who bike, these changes are continued from prior surges:

  • Capital Bikeshare station at the East Falls Church Metrorail station, and additional capacity at Bikeshare stations at the Ballston and Rosslyn Metrorail stations.
  • Additional temporary bike parking capacity at the Ballston Metrorail station.

For Surge 9 (Sept. 15-Oct. 26)

During Surge 9, Orange Line trains will continuously single track weekdays between Vienna and West Falls Church from Sept. 15 through Oct. 26.

Arlington County is supplementing Metro’s efforts to assist travelers by continuing to encourage alternate work/travel options.

Street operations changes – No changes.

Supplemental local bus service – No changes.

Alternate work and travel options

  • Arlington Transportation Partners continues outreach to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has travel option resources for residents and businesses – for example, assistance for vanpooling and other car-free options.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Services provides SafeTrack information in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For those who bike, these changes are continued from prior surges:

  • Capital Bikeshare station at the East Falls Church Metrorail station, and additional capacity at Bikeshare stations at the Ballston and Rosslyn Metrorail stations.
  • Additional temporary bike parking capacity at the Ballston Metrorail station.

For Surge 8 (Aug. 27-Sept. 11)

Surge 8 starts on Saturday, Aug. 27 and ends on Sunday, Sept. 11. During this surge Blue Line trains will continuously single track weekdays between Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street, with additional weekend line segment shutdowns.

Arlington County is supplementing Metro’s efforts to assist travelers by continuing to encourage alternate work/travel options.

Street operations changes – No changes.

Supplemental local bus service – No changes.

Alternate work and travel options

  • Arlington Transportation Partners continues outreach to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has travel option resources for residents and businesses – for example, assistance for vanpooling and other car-free options.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Services provides SafeTrack information in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For those who bike, these changes are continued from prior surges:

  • New Capital Bikeshare station at the East Falls Church Metrorail station, and additional capacity at Bikeshare stations at the Ballston and Rosslyn Metrorail stations.
  • Additional temporary bike parking capacity at the Ballston Metrorail station.
  • Enhanced wayfinding along trails and commuter routes for cyclists.

For Surge 7 (Aug. 9-21)

During SafeTrack Surge 7, Red Line trains will continuously single track between Shady Grove and Twinbrook. This surge also includes a Red line segment shutdown between the Shady Grove and Grosvenor stations on Aug. 20-21.

Arlington County is supplementing Metro’s efforts to assist travelers by continuing to encourage alternate work/travel options.

Street operations changes – No changes.

Supplemental local bus service – No changes.

Alternate work and travel options

  • Arlington Transportation Partners continues outreach to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has travel option resources for residents and businesses – for example, assistance for vanpooling and other car-free options.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Services provides SafeTrack information in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For those who bike, these changes are continued from prior surges:

  • New Capital Bikeshare station at the East Falls Church Metrorail station, and additional capacity at Bikeshare stations at the Ballston and Rosslyn Metrorail stations.
  • Additional temporary bike parking capacity at the Ballston Metrorail station.
  • Enhanced wayfinding along trails and commuter routes for cyclists.

For Surge 6 (Aug. 1-7)

During SafeTrack Surge 6, Red Line trains will continuously single track between Takoma and Silver Spring.

Arlington County is supplementing Metro’s efforts to assist travelers by continuing to encourage alternate work/travel options.

Street operations changes

No changes. Temporary changes around the Ballston, East Falls Church and Rosslyn Metro stations for Surge 5 will be discontinued.

Supplemental local bus service – No changes.

Alternate work and travel options

  • Arlington Transportation Partners continues outreach to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has travel option resources for residents and businesses – for example, assistance for vanpooling and other car-free options.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Services provides SafeTrack information in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For those who bike, these changes are continued from prior surges:

  • New Capital Bikeshare station at the East Falls Church Metrorail station, and additional capacity at Bikeshare stations at the Ballston and Rosslyn Metrorail stations.
  • Additional temporary bike parking capacity at the Ballston Metrorail station.
  • Enhanced wayfinding along trails and commuter routes for cyclists.

For Surge 5 (July 20-31)

SafeTrack Surge 5 will bring continuous single tracking for Orange and Silver line trains between East Falls Church and Ballston. This is the same area that was affected during Surge 1 in early June.

Arlington County is supplementing Metro’s efforts to assist travelers during this SafeTrack work by continuing to encourage alternate work/travel options, continuing supplemental ART bus service, and making temporary street changes around the Ballston, East Falls Church and Rosslyn Metro stations.

Street operations changes

Supplemental local bus service

  • Using 40-foot buses for ART 55 (East Falls Church-Lee Highway-Rosslyn) to add capacity along the affected section of the Orange/Silver line.
    • Each 40-foot bus has five more seats and room for more standees compared to the 35-foot bus normally used on this route.
  • New midday, evening and weekend service for ART 43 (Crystal City-Rosslyn-Courthouse), which started during Surge 2, continues to be available.

Alternate work and travel options

The County is encouraging telework/flex time, ridesharing, biking and walking – options other than driving alone:

  • Arlington Transportation Partners is reaching out to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and provide travel option information.
  • Arlington’s Commuter Page has travel option resources for residents and businesses – for example, assistance for vanpooling and other car-free options.
  • Arlington County Commuter Services Hispanic Marketing offers comprehensive information about each surge in Spanish.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For those who bike, these changes are continued from prior surges:

  • New Capital Bikeshare station at the East Falls Church Metrorail station, and additional capacity at Bikeshare stations at the Ballston and Rosslyn Metrorail stations.
  • Additional temporary bike parking capacity at Ballston and Rosslyn Metrorail stations.
  • Enhanced wayfinding along trails and commuter routes for bicyclists – Bike Routes – Orange/Silver Line direction
  • Custom Bike Trains arranged for County residents upon request – contact info@BikeArlington.com.

Additional information at affected Metro stations:

  • Providing ambassadors at Ballston Metro station to answer questions and offer transportation option information.
  • Enhanced wayfinding signage at affected Metro stations will point people along safe routes to buses, shuttles, bike parking, Capital Bikeshare, station elevators, and other service locations.

For Surges 3 and 4 (July 5-18)

Surge 3 will shut down the Blue/Yellow Line between National Airport and Braddock Road from July 5 through July 11. Free shuttle buses will operate via Metroway, and National Airport will be accessible by rail.

Surge 4 will shut down the Blue/Yellow Line between National Airport and Pentagon City from July 12 through July 18, with no Metrorail service at Crystal City. Free shuttle buses will operate via Metroway, and National Airport will be served by free shuttle bus to/from Pentagon City and Braddock Road.

Arlington County is supplementing Metro’s efforts to assist travelers during this SafeTrack work by continuing to encourage alternate work/travel options, continuing supplemental ART bus service started in Surge 2, and making temporary street changes around the Pentagon City Metro station.

Street operations changes for Surge 3 and 4

 Supplemental local bus service continued from prior surges

  • The new ART service and additional ART bus capacity on routes that parallel the Blue Line will continue through Surges 3 and 4:
    • Midday, evening and weekend service for ART 43 (Crystal City-Rosslyn-Courthouse) – This route provides a direct connection from Crystal City to the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor. On weekdays, 40-foot buses will be used to add capacity.
    • 40-foot buses for ART 42 (Ballston-Pentagon) to add capacity – Each 40-foot bus has five more seats and room for more standees compared to 35-foot buses normally used on this route.

Alternate travel and work options

  • The County continues to encourage telework/flex time, ridesharing, biking and walking – options other than driving alone:
    • Arlington Transportation Partners is reaching out to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and provide travel option information.
    • Arlington’s Commuter Page has travel option resources for residents and businesses – for example, assistance for vanpooling and other car-free options.
    • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.
  • For those who bike, these changes are continued from prior surges:
    • Additional capacity at Capital Bikeshare stations and bike parking around the Rosslyn and Crystal City Metro stations.
    • Custom Bike Trains arranged for County residents upon request – contact info@BikeArlington.com. BikeArlington also will support promotion of Alexandria’s bike trains that will run from Braddock Road Metro station to Pentagon City.
    • Improved directional signage along bike commuter routes.
  • For those who use transit, bike or walk:
    • Ambassadors will be at Pentagon City Metro station to help travelers with their questions and trip planning.
    • Enhanced wayfinding signage at affected Metro stations will point people along safe routes to buses, shuttles, bike parking, Capital Bikeshare, station elevators, and other service locations.

For Surge 2 (June 18 to July 3)

Arlington County is supplementing Metro’s efforts to assist travelers during SafeTrack Surge 2, which includes an Orange/Silver/Blue segment shutdown between Eastern Market and Minnesota Ave/Benning Road from June 18 through July 3 and no Blue Line service between Arlington Cemetery and Rosslyn.

Local bus service

  • Providing new ART service and additional ART bus capacity on routes that parallel the Blue Line shutdown between Arlington Cemetery and Rosslyn:
    • Starting new midday, evening and weekend service for ART 43 (Crystal City-Rosslyn-Courthouse) – This route provides a direct connection from Crystal City to the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor. On weekdays, 40-foot buses will be used to add capacity.
    • Using 40-foot buses for ART 42 (Ballston-Pentagon) to add capacity – Each 40-foot bus has five more seats and room for more standees compared to the 35-foot buses normally used on this route.

Alternate travel and work options

  • Encouraging telework/flex time, ridesharing, biking and walking – options other than driving alone:
    • Arlington Transportation Partners is reaching out to employers and building managers to urge them to encourage telework or flex schedules and provide travel option information.
    • Arlington’s Commuter Page has travel option resources for residents and businesses – for example, assistance for vanpooling and other car-free options.
    • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations with Adobe software, and small meeting rooms.

For those who bike:

  • Adding capacity at Capital Bikeshare stations around the Crystal City Metrorail station, as well as added Bikeshare capacity around the Rosslyn station (installed during surge 1).
  • Adding bike parking at Rosslyn Metrorail station, and highlighting new bike parking installed as a part of Crystal City Multimodal Center improvements.
  • Arranging custom Bike Trains for County residents upon request – contact BikeArlington at info@BikeArlington.com.
  • Improved directional signage along bike commuter routes (installed during Surge 1).

For those who use transit, bike or walk:

  • Providing Ambassadors in Rosslyn and Crystal City to help travelers with their questions and trip planning.
  • Providing wayfinding signage at Crystal City and Rosslyn Metrorail stations to point people along safe routes to buses, shuttles, bike parking, Capital Bikeshare, Metrorail station elevators, and other service locations.

Street operations

For Surge 1 (June 4 to June 16)

Arlington County is supplementing the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority”s (WMATA) efforts to assist travelers during Metrorail’s SafeTrack Surge 1, which will bring continuous single tracking for Orange and Silver line trains between East Falls Church and Ballston from June 4 through June 16, 2016.

Alternate work and travel options

  • Encouraging telework/flex time, ridesharing, biking and walking.
    • Arlington Transportation Partners is reaching out to its many partners – including employers, building managers, businesses and retailers – to urge them to encourage people to telework or flex their schedules.
    • Arlington’s Commuter Page has many resources available to businesses and residents; for example, assistance for vanpooling and other car-free options.
    • Driving alone should be the last resort.
    • Modeling this behavior by encouraging Arlington County Government employees to seek travel alternatives and the possibility to telework.
  • Installing a Capital Bikeshare station at the East Falls Church Metrorail station, and adding capacity to Bikeshare stations at the Ballston and Rosslyn Metrorail stations.
  • Adding bike racks at the Ballston Metrorail station.
  • Providing new “bike trains” where experienced riders lead groups of new or infrequent riders who want to try cycling for their commute.
  • Providing ambassadors at Ballston Metrorail station to answer questions and offer transportation option information.
  • For teleworkers who can’t work at home, Arlington Public Libraries offer wifi, office equipment, design stations (with Adobe software), meeting rooms. Check out Libraries’ SafeTrack resources.

Local bus service

  • Using 40-foot buses for ART 55 (East Falls Church-Lee Highway-Rosslyn) and ART 52 (Virginia Hospital-Ballston-East Falls Church) to add capacity during the first SafeTrack surge.
    • Routes provide service along the affected section of the Orange/Silver line.
    • Each 40-foot bus has five more seats and room for more standees compared to the 35-foot bus normally used on these routes.

Street operations

  • Making temporary changes around Rosslyn, Ballston and East Falls Church Metrorail stations to accommodate additional Metro and regional buses during rush hours. This includes:
    • Removing some street parking and converting some street sections to bus-only.
    • Adjusting traffic signal operations, as needed, to accommodate increased bus operations.
  • Adjusting the County’s paving schedule for the rest of the year to avoid work on arterials that may coincide with SafeTrack surges.

Late night alternatives

  • Arlington County Police have been doing extensive on-the-spot outreach in the Clarendon area on weekend nights, to remind people that the Metrorail system shuts down at midnight.

Press conference: The video below is from the June 3, 2016, WMATA press conference on Surge #1.