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Silver Spring, MD (March 19, 2024) – This summer, Montgomery County residents face a transportation nightmare as five key Metro Red Line stations prepare to shut down. County officials are scrambling to minimize the impact on commuters, urging Metro to implement several mitigation strategies.
Major Red Line Stations to Close
The closures, slated for summer 2024, will affect the following stations:
- Glenmont
- Wheaton
- Forest Glen
- Silver Spring (full closure)
- Takoma (partial closure)
These shutdowns, particularly the closure of Silver Spring, the county's largest transit hub, raise concerns for Montgomery County Council President Andrew Friedson. He co-signed a letter to Metro General Manager Randy Clarke and Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld, outlining potential solutions.
Concerns and Proposed Solutions
- Gridlock Fears: Friedson worries that commuters forced onto roads will significantly increase commute times for everyone.
- Bus Relief: The letter proposes delaying planned service reductions on eight bus lines serving the affected area (routes 201, 203, 305, 315, 325, 335, and 345).
- Enhanced MARC Service: The letter urges additional MARC train service between Rockville and Washington D.C.'s Union Station.
- Multilingual Outreach: Recognizing the area's diverse population, the letter emphasizes the need for multilingual outreach regarding these changes.
County Offers Assistance
Montgomery County is committed to helping. The letter highlights the county's willingness to provide technical assistance and implement mitigation measures within their authority.