The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDoT) Transit Administration determined over the weekend that the entire Metro SubwayLink will need to be closed for up to a month while critical repairs are made, and the governor’s office announced emergency funding for shuttle bus “bridge” service.
The rail system was initially closed on Friday morning after routine inspections revealed that an elevated track spanning from Owings Mills to West Cold Spring needed immediate work. The track replacement had been scheduled to take place over the summer.
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s office announced $2.2 million in emergency funding to run shuttle bus service while Metro SubwayLink remains out of service.
“Safety is our top priority,” Maryland Transit Administration CEO and Administrator Kevin Quinn said. “With bus bridges, we will be able to do the necessary rail repairs to reopen our system as quickly as possible while still providing our customers with critical access to work, school, medical facilities and leisure activities.”
In addition to the shuttle bus service, state officials encouraged commuters to use MDoT MTA Light RailLink and the BaltimoreLink bus system while repairs are made.
“On behalf of our citizens who rely daily on the Metro SubwayLink system for their transport needs, I want to express our gratitude to the Hogan administration for this emergency funding we requested to provide dedicated buses that will travel the Metro SubwayLink route,” Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh said. “It is important that we do everything possible to mitigate the inconvenience of prolonged disruption of the Metro SubwayLink service.”