The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) is encouraging commuters to plan ahead for Metro’s summer Red Line shutdown, which will suspend train service between the North Bethesda and Friendship Heights stations from Monday, July 6, through Sunday, Sept. 6.
During the closure, Metro will provide free shuttle buses while crews construct a new Bethesda Station mezzanine to connect Metrorail with the future Purple Line and complete maintenance work at the Medical Center and Grosvenor-Strathmore stations. To help keep buses moving, the Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration will activate 7.5 miles of dedicated bus-only lanes along portions of Rockville Pike (MD 355) beginning July 6. The lanes will be reserved for buses from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and parking will be prohibited in those lanes throughout the closure.
MCDOT is encouraging riders to use the free Ride On Trip Planner app to plan their trips and says Ride On bus routes connecting to the eastern portion of the Red Line will continue operating throughout the summer. The dedicated bus lanes north of I-495 will also be evaluated for possible long-term use after the project concludes…