Medical Center Station Construction Closure
WHY
To allow for major capital improvements, Metrorail service on the Red Line will be suspended between Grosvenor-Strathmore and Bethesda – to include Medical Center Metro Station - from July 6 to September 6, 2026. Free Local and Express shuttle buses will replace rail service to and from Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center and Bethesda. Parking will remain available at the stations that currently offer parking.
The major reason for the closure is to connect the Purple Line to the existing infrastructure at Bethesda Metro. To take advantage of the opportunity, WMATA will also close Grosvenor and Medical Center to address additional work like platform improvements, cleaning and lighting improvements.
Information Sharing Webinars
From 1-2pm, on Tuesday, May 12 and Wednesday, June 17, the NIH will host two webinars to provide more details about transit alternatives and answer questions about the Medical Center closure. Feel free to join the May 12 webinar and the June 17 webinar. No registration required.
BUS DETAILS
Alternative Transportation Option: Free Bus
Free, ADA-accessible buses will bridge the service gap, running every 5 - 8 minutes during Metrorail operating hours. WMATA will offer an express bus between North Bethesda direct to Friendship Heights (expected to take 25 – 30 minutes). WMATA will also offer a local bus service which stops at all the closed metro stations between North Bethesda to Friendship Heights (expected to take 45 – 50 minutes).
For detailed bus timetables and station maps, please see the information sheets
Temporary NIH Parking
For riders who are unable to find alternative mass transit options, the NIH Parking Office will offer temporary parking permits to employees who work at the Bethesda and Rock I/II locations starting June 22. These permits will be available for pick up at the NIH Parking Office during normal business hours, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM (closed 11am-12pm), Monday-Friday, excluding federal holidays. For all other employees who work at leased facilities in Montgomery County, please reach out to the facility parking coordinator.
Please note that to receive a temporary permit during the closure, you must originate or terminate at one of the stations that are directly impacted by this project. All other stations will operate normally.
OTHER TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS
Carpool/Vanpool
If you are interested in forming or joining an existing carpool or vanpool, there are two options:
- Join NIH's internal ride-matching database (NIH Rideshare) by logging into the Commuting and Parking Services (CAPS) system. Current NIH Vanpool locations and points of contacts can be found here.
- Join the region's ride-match list through Commuter Connections.
Additional Resources:
- http://traffic.nih.gov - a comprehensive site that provides specific information pertinent to NIH Commuters and staff.
- Commuter Connections - Provides commute options to get to work and get home in an emergency. Among many services, it offers ridematching for carpools and vanpools and administers the Guaranteed Ride Home program.
- Vanpool Alliance - A public-private partnership to support vanpool riders and providers in Northern Virginia.
Biking
Capital Bikeshare - A bike transit service of the departments of transportation in
Washington Area Bicyclist Association - Tips and directions on the best bike routes along the Yellow Line corridor in Virginia. .