D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser says the city will expand parking restrictions, put more traffic control officers on the streets and explore extending the hours of the D.C. Circulator to help ease the burden of Metro's SafeTrack plan.
Over the next year, all six of Metro's rail lines will be affected by SafeTrack. The "safety surges" include periods of continuous single-tracking to outright closures for multiple days. Metrorail's already begun closing at midnight on the weekends, but major changes are set to affect your commute as well.
"The plan will affect every single commuter," Bowser said during a news conference Thursday. "We believe Washington, D.C., will be affected by all 15 surges."
SafeTrack's first surge will begin Saturday, with 13 straight days of single-tracking on the Orange and Silver lines between Ballston and East Falls Church through June 16.
To help ease traffic flow in the District, rush-hour parking restrictions along some Metrobus routes will be extended during the morning and evening commutes. More traffic control officers will be on the streets, bus bridges and other critical intersections.
The expanded parking restrictions will begin June 6 along the east-west bus routes.
"We are committed to do everything to ease this burden," Bowser said, adding that commuters should "learn about SafeTrack, the surges and how they will impact you."
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Capital Bikeshare will also offer a $2 per trip or $8 a day option for commuters who opt to bike to work. Additional bikes will be available at Metro's Rosslyn, Ballston and East Falls Church stations during the first "safety surge," and experienced riders will lead groups of commuters from East Falls Church to Rosslyn.
Bowser said the city is also considering extending the D.C. Circulator's hours to 3 a.m. on the weekends.
Employees who can carpool, telework or work a flexible schedule are also encourage to do so.
Commuters can also use Metro's Trip Planner to help time their Metro or Metrobus routes.
Once the first surge is over, there will be a one-day reprieve, and then the Orange, Blue and Silver lines will be shut down entirely from Eastern Market to Minnesota Avenue and Benning Road.
That shutdown will last from June 18 to July 3.
An additional 13 safety surges will have major impacts around the region for an entire year. See the entire SafeTrack schedule here.
