WASHINGTON — Metro is reminding customers that the Virginia Square-GMU station will be closed Sunday and not to panic if they see smoke.
Sunday morning, officials said the station will remain closed as Metro staff and emergency personnel conduct a full-scale safety exercise.
Free shuttle buses will replace trains between Ballston and Clarendon during that time.
Transit officials said the exercise is part of regular training to ensure that emergency responders are ready for real-world emergencies and to test operational coordination, communications, and response between Metro and its partners.
Emergency responders will be asked to respond to a simulated scenario involving a report of a smoke in a tunnel on Sunday including Arlington County Fire, Metro Transit Police, rail transportation personnel and Metro’s new Integrated Command and Communications Center.
In addition, Metro Transit Police, the Metropolitan Police Department and the FBI will participate in a skills station to practice using robots during a response to an active attacker under or around a train.
Neighbors should expect to see an increased police presence as well as firetrucks in the area Sunday.
The exercise is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and should finish at noon.
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