With the Red Line work completed, the weekend will be free of any scheduled track work going into New Year's Eve when train service systemwide will be extended to 2 a.m. to accommodate workers and revelers ringing in the new year.
Service on the Red Line has been suspended since Dec. 18, to repair the deteriorating concrete beams and ceiling that date to the system’s original construction.
Photo: WMATA
2 min to read
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announced Red Line construction between the Dupont Circle and Gallery Place stations will be completed early and $250,000 under budget, following construction for critical tunnel repairs and infrastructure upgrades, with normal Red Line services re-launching Dec. 30.
With the Red Line work completed, the weekend will be free of any scheduled track work going into New Year's Eve when train service systemwide will be extended to 2 a.m. to accommodate workers and revelers ringing in the new year.
Ad Loading...
In addition, 24/7 DC bus service is now available on 14 routes for those in the District traveling after the rail system closes.
Red Line Service
Service on the Red Line has been suspended since Dec. 18, to repair the deteriorating concrete beams and ceiling that date to the system’s original construction. Additionally, the work zone was extended Dec. 22 to 24 with no Red Line service between Gallery Place and Union Station.
Free shuttle buses replaced trains during construction, providing more than 172,000 passenger trips to date between the affected stations.
"We appreciate all of our customers, businesses, the District and the effort our Metro staff who worked through the holidays to get this critical work done," said WMATA GM/CEO Randy Clarke. “Maintaining the safety and reliability of the system is vital. Thanks to Mayor Bowser and the District Department of Transportation, we were able to use special dedicated bus lanes created for this project to minimize the impact to customers.”
Construction Highlights
Red Line construction highlights included:
Ad Loading...
WMATA’s construction team used more than eight tons of concrete and 466 pounds of rebar to rebuild the Red Line tunnel ceiling to prevent concrete from falling onto trains.
The team replaced 3,159 linear feet of running rail between Farragut North and Metro Center.
Workers installed 1,152 lights for the new platform edge lighting between Farragut North and Judiciary Sq with brighter, more sustainable LED lights.
Added extra insulation to the third rail power cables between Gallery Place and Judiciary Square to provide a moisture barrier of the electrified third rail, which powers the trains.
To prepare for its next generation train signaling system, Metro installed 15,914 linear feet of fiber optic cables between Farragut North and Judiciary Sq.
The Red Line construction is part of WMATA's 10-year, $15 billion Capital Improvement Program, investing in system safety, reliability, and the region's economy. The capital program will improve the customer experience and keep the region's infrastructure in a state of good repair.
The ATP board’s approval of the KAP team enables ATP to begin pre-construction activities, including advancing design, initiating permitting, and preparing the site for future construction.
The railroad has issued a formal request for proposals to manufacturers for more than 800 new passenger railcars that will serve 14 long-distance routes nationwide.
The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.
BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).
The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.
Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials.
