Yeserday's Excitement

August 8, 2007
Red Line Stations Closed (Updated)

dupont metro stationUPDATE #2
WMATA reports that all three stations have re-opened, though some delays may linger in order to get everything back on schedule. Enjoy your evening, Washington.

According to an alert from Metro, the Dupont Circle, Woodley Park, and Cleveland Park stations have been closed due to a suspicious package aboard a train. Metro will be running shuttle buses between Van Ness and Farragut North to connect to the stations.

We hope the package turns out to be a forgotten backpack or parcel, and that Metro resolves the issue soon; otherwise you Red Liners will be in for a tortuous, hot, and uncomfortable commute tonight. Our advice? Belly up to a local bar and wait it out.

UPDATE:
According to WTOP, the suspicious package is a cardboard box wrapped in dark brown paper, which Metro X-rayed and decided to detonated on the train. The Woodley Park and Cleveland Park stations are being used to turn trains around for that portion of the line, but aren't in any danger. Metro is asking people to avoid the Red Line altogether.

19 buses are providing connecting service. At 50 people or so for a sardine-canned bus, the Red Line commute has all but ground to a standstill. Those of you with no other options, enjoy the walk home; the heat index is only 104º right now.

Photo from Eye Captain.

By Adam Bailey in Transportation (DCist.com)