Metrorail to Stay Open Late After Inauguration

Washington Hotel Association foots the bill

WASHINGTON -- Metro is extending rail hours before and after the inauguration, News4 has learned.

Metrorail will open at 5 a.m. on Jan. 19, closing at 2 a.m. Jan. 20. On Inauguration Day, it will open at 4 a.m. and stay open until 2 a.m. Jan. 21. After midnight, Red Line trains will run 15 minutes apart and Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green line trains will run 20 minutes apart.

The change comes after Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton met with Metro General Manager John Catoe.

The Washington Hotel Association has agreed to foot the extra cost of about $55,000.

Metro is working to enhance the system’s power-related infrastructure to accommodate more eight-car trains on Inauguration Day.

No vehicles will be allowed to enter Metro lots between 11 p.m. on Jan. 19 and and 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 20.

Metro will designate some rail station entrances as exit-only or entry-only to move people efficiently on Inauguration Day:

  • Stadium-Armory - Blue and Orange Line
    -19th and Independence SE (Stadium-Armory side) Entrance Only  4 a.m.
    to 1 p.m.
    -19th and Independence SE (Stadium-Armory side) Exit Only  TBD
    -19th between C and Burke St SE (Hospital Side) Entry and Exit All day
  • Metro Center - Red, Blue and Orange Line
    -13th and G St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
    -11th and G St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
    -12th and F St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx 10:30 a.m.
    -12th and G St NW Entry and Exit All day
  • Farragut North - Red Line
    -Conn and K St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
    -Conn and L St NW (northwest) Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30
    a.m.
    -Conn. and L St. NW (northeast) Entry and Exit All day
  • Gallery Pl-Chinatown - Red, Yellow and Green Line
    -9th and G St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
    -7th and H St NW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
    -7th and F St NW Entry and Exit All day
  • L’Enfant Plaza - Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green Line
    -7th and Maryland Ave SW Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m. All Blue and Orange Line riders exiting at L’Enfant Plaza will be directed to exit from 7th and D St., SW, and 9th and D St., SW.
  • Union Station - Red Line 
    -1st NE (north side) Exit Only 4 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.
    -Massachusetts Ave SE (south side) Entry and Exit All day. Riders must enter Union Station Mall to access entrance

Metrorail stations designated exit-only from 4 a.m. to approximately 10:30 a.m. on Jan. 20:

  • Federal Triangle - Blue and Orange Line
  • Federal Center SW - Blue and Orange Line
  • Farragut West - Blue and Orange Line
  • Capitol South - Blue and Orange Line
  • McPherson Square - Blue and Orange Line

More Inauguration Links for Locals:

  • Looking for parties to go to, click here.
  • Check out our Inauguration Guide, click here.
  • View DC Road Closure Map, click here.
  • Contact Us