To support major capital improvements, Metrorail service will be suspended at three Red Line stations this summer. Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center and Bethesda will be closed from July 6 through September 6, 2026. The closure will allow Metro to perform critical work connecting the Purple Line to Bethesda as well as major safety and platform updates at Grosvenor-Strathmore and Medical Center.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has developed alternative service options to support passengers who normally use these stations. Trains will continue operating between Shady Grove and North Bethesda and between Friendship Heights and Glenmont, with shuttle bus service bridging the gap between the closed stations.
Free, ADA-accessible shuttle buses will run every 5 - 8 minutes during normal Metrorail operating hours. WMATA will provide:
- Express bus service between North Bethesda direct to Friendship Heights
- Local bus service stopping at all the closed stations between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights
The Division of Amenities and Transportation Services (DATS) will host a virtual information webinars to provide additional details and commuting alternatives:
- June 17 at 1:00 PM WMATA representatives will also be available at the Medical Center in the weeks leading up to the closure to distribute information and answer questions. Additional updates will be posted online as they become available.
Telework
- A temporary expansion of telework flexibility has been approved for telework-eligible NIH employees who are required to work onsite in the DC metropolitan area for the duration of the WMATA service disruption, allowing for up to 50% telework during this period.
- Employees should continue coordinating schedules with their supervisors and follow established telework procedures.
- Employees whose responsibilities require an on-site presence must continue reporting to campus
Alternative Commuting Options
Employees are encouraged to explore alternative commuting options such as carpooling and vanpooling:
Use Commuter Connections to find regional carpool and vanpool opportunities.
Additional resources:
- http://traffic.nih.gov - Information for NIH commuters
- Commuter Connections – Ride matching and Guaranteed Ride Home program
- Vanpool Alliance - Support for vanpool riders in Northern Virginia.
Temporary Parking Permits:
For employees significantly impacted by the closures and unable to use alternative transit options, the NIH Employee Transportation Services Office (ETSO), also known as the NIH Parking Office, located at Building 31A Room 1A11, will offer temporary parking permits for Bethesda and Rockledge I/II locations beginning June 22.
Permits may be picked up at the ETSO during normal business hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (closed 11am-12pm), excluding federal holidays.
Eligibility requires that your commute originates or terminates at one of the impacted stations.
Employees at leased facilities in Montgomery County should contact their 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.
To increase parking capacity during expected peak parking demand from mid-August through mid-September, a few additional measure will be implemented including:
- Pause MLP-8 renovation work (additional 250 parking spaces)
- Open Visitor Parking Lot 18 to NIH Parking Permit holders and add stack parking (additional 155 parking spaces)
- Open MLP-11 to NIH Parking Permit holders and add stack parking (if necessary) (additional 422 spaces)
For questions or assistance:
- NIH Parking Office (ETSO): nihparkingoffice@ors.od.nih.gov or (301) 496-5050
- Metro Customer Service: Call or text (202) 466-3876
- Monday-Friday: 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM
- Saturday-Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
WMATA will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
