WASHINGTON — July 4 Update: WMATA is encouraging riders attempting to enter the Smithsonian Metro Station to walk to the L’Enfant or Federal Triangle stations to avoid a 60-75 minute wait.
The L’Enfant or Federal Triangle stations both serve the blue, orange, and silver lines. If you are trying to get to the red line, WMATA says to walk to Farragut North or Metro Center.
Original Story:
Metro riders may face exceedingly long wait times on Independence Day, leading the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to issue warnings and tips ahead of the holiday.
According to a release from WMATA, customers could wait up to 60 minutes while also navigating larger than usual crowds, especially after the Fourth of July fireworks shows have ended.
The crowds and busy travel times come as WMATA is still using a reduced number of railcars.
Metro Transit Police may also temporarily restrict entry to stations that are seeing excessive crowding to stop any unsafe conditions on the platforms.
The metro will open on Monday, July 4 at 7 a.m. and run until midnight. WMATA encourages riders to allow crowds to clear before attempting to leave the area.
Click here for a full list of tips from WMATA regarding avoiding holiday crowds.
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