WASHINGTON -- The end of the Thanksgiving travel rush will be followed by some significant slowdowns for Metro riders.
The transit agency is rebuilding its bridge over the Potomac River between Virginia and The District, slowing Blue Line trains and effectively stopping Yellow Line service system-wide.
"Customers may experience crowding" during the 14-day shutdown, said Metro.
Work begins Monday and runs through Sunday, December 9.
Easily seen from I-395, the half-mile rail bridge connects Pentagon Metro and L'Enfant Plaza. Metro said Virginia riders trying to get downtown should take the Blue Line instead, but cautions its tunnel near Rosslyn can only handle so many trains.
Blue Line trains, which typically arrive every 8 minutes, will be slowed to every 16 minutes. After 8 p.m., Blue Line trains will come every 20 minutes.
The slowdowns could be especially maddening for those planning to take Metro after arriving at Reagan National Airport.
Airport officials have encouraged passengers to take Metro while a $1 billion airport improvement project is causing some traffic delays.
Metro announced the project in February, calling it a "rebuild" of rail infrastructure, steel, and concrete across the bridge span.
"Due to the limited clearance, heavy equipment needed, and location over the river, the only safe way to go about doing this work is to close the bridge," said Metro Spokesman Dan Stessel.
