Orange Line

Orange Line Delays This Morning

By ARLnow.com

There were significant delays on the Orange Line this morning thanks to a train malfunction in the District.

A train malfunction at McPherson Square forced trains to single track through the station, backing up Orange and Blue Line trains heading into the District from Arlington.

Metro reports that the disabled train has since been cleared, but that delays are continuing in both directions.

Adding to the Metro woes, medics were just dispatched to the Rosslyn Metro station for a report of a sick customer.

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Wright Gate Reopening — Fort Myer’s Wright Gate, used by local bicyclists and pedestrians, will reopen on Monday. The gate, located at N. Meade Street and Marshall Drive, closed for repairs in March. Starting Monday, it will be open from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. Henry Gate, at Arlington Blvd and Pershing Drive, will revert to its normal hours: 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.

State Senate Race Could Get Interesting — Could a well-funded Republican candidate defeat a Democrat this fall in the race for Arlington’s newly-redrawn 31st state Senate district? Sun Gazette Editor Scott McCaffrey thinks so. [Sun Gazette]

Creepy Encounter on Orange Line — A woman says a man pressed up against her in an inappropriate manner on an Orange Line train between Court House and Ballston stations. [Unsuck DC Metro]

Reminder: Crystal City 5K Photo Contest — Snap a few photos at tonight’s Crystal City 5K race and submit them in our Flickr photo contest. See more contest details here.

Morning Poll: Proposed Changes to Blue, Orange Lines

By ARLnow.com

On Thursday, Metro’s board will discuss a plan to divert some Blue Line trains across the Yellow Line bridge, thus freeing up capacity through the Rosslyn tunnel for additional Orange Line trains.

The plan, however, is a bit more complicated than it initially sounds.

The shift would only happen during rush hour. The affected Blue Line trains would travel from Franconia-Springfield, across the Yellow Line bridge and over to Greenbelt via the Green Line.

The move would allow Metro to add three trains per hour to the Orange Line. Those trains would travel from West Falls Church to Largo Town Center, at the end of the Blue Line.

In addition to alleviating some of the overcrowding on the Orange Line, the plan would free up capacity for future Silver Line trains, which are expected to start running in 2014.

The change would come at a price, of course. The Washington Post and Greater Greater Washington each have more details about the significant logistic and communication challenges involved in implementing the plan.

Obviously, any changes to the Orange and Blue Lines are going to have a large impact on Arlington commuters. Do you agree with the plan?


Flickr pool photo by BrianMKA

Morning Notes

By ARLnow.com

Views at Clarendon Could Be Model for Other Churches — Could more cash-strapped urban churches follow the Views at Clarendon model, selling land rights and allowing mixed-use development on church grounds? One of the architects of the affordable housing project says he’s getting calls from interested parishes around the country. A neighbor’s lawsuit challenging the project is currently on appeal. More from the Washington Examiner.

Marine Rape Trial Goes to Jury — The jury in the rape and abduction trial of 21-year-old Henderson Hall Marine Jorge “George” Torrez will resume deliberations at 9:00 this morning. Torrez faces 17 charges stemming from two separate attacks in Arlington in February. More from ABC7.

Metro Board to Vote on Blue and Orange Line Rehabilitation — Later this month, the Metro board will consider a $272 million plan to “rebuild major portions of the Blue and Orange lines to improve customer service.” If approved as expected, the work could begin in late 2011. More from the Washington Post.

Flickr pool photo by BrianMKA

Reminder: Orange Line to Be Split in Two This Weekend

By ARLnow.com

There will be no rail service between the East and West Falls Church stations on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Metro is splitting the Orange Line into two sections this weekend to facilitate work on the Dulles Metrorail project.

Shuttle buses will run every 10 minutes between the stations. Orange Line riders should add 30 minutes to their travel plans.

The work and the split will also be in effect on the weekends of June 5-6 and June 12-13.