Crystal City Metro Station Closure and 14th Street Reopening: Saturday Traffic Update

Valentine's Weekend Travel Overview

Welcome to the washingtondc.news traffic and commute update for Saturday, February 14, 2026. As the District kicks off the long holiday weekend for Washington’s Birthday and prepares for Valentine’s Day festivities, commuters should be aware of a significant rail shutdown in Northern Virginia and several ongoing roadway projects. While road conditions are generally clear this morning, specific transit closures will require extra travel time.

Major Metrorail Disruptions

The most critical update for transit riders today is the start of a major construction phase at the Crystal City station. The station is officially closed this morning and will remain closed through Monday, February 16. This closure is the first of ten planned weekend shutdowns to facilitate the construction of a new station entrance.

• Blue and Yellow Lines: Rail service is suspended between National Airport and Pentagon City. Trains are running in two segments: from Franconia-Springfield/Huntington to National Airport, and from Pentagon City toward Downtown Largo/Greenbelt.
• Shuttle Service: Free shuttle buses are operating between National Airport and Pentagon City to bridge the gap. Commuters heading to or from Reagan National Airport should expect at least 20 to 30 minutes of additional travel time.
• Red Line Maintenance: Maintenance crews are active on the Red Line, causing trains to single-track between Silver Spring and Forest Glen. While trains are running every 8 minutes between Shady Grove and NoMa-Gallaudet U, service frequency drops to every 15 minutes between NoMa-Gallaudet U and Glenmont.

Roadway Updates: 14th Street Reopens

Drivers heading into the city center received positive news late last night. The northbound lanes of 14th Street NW between L Street and Thomas Circle have officially reopened following emergency repairs. The area had been closed earlier this week after DC Water discovered a century-old sewer tunnel at imminent risk of collapse. Stabilization is complete, and full traffic flow has been restored just in time for holiday dining traffic.

Ongoing Construction and Roadworks

Despite the 14th Street reopening, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) continues several long-term projects that may cause localized delays today:

• I-295 Impact: Expect lane restrictions on I-295 northbound and southbound between the Maryland Line and V Street SE as bridge rehabilitation continues.
• Northwest Paving: Paving activities remain scheduled for Nebraska Avenue NW between Massachusetts Avenue and 39th Street, as well as segments of Georgia Avenue NW.
• Bridge Work: Traffic pattern changes remain in effect on the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge and the I-395 HOV bridge due to ongoing deck replacement and rehabilitation.

Holiday Service Reminders

In observance of the Washington’s Birthday holiday, all D.C. DMV locations are closed today, Saturday, February 14, and will remain closed through Monday. Additionally, with Valentine's Day events taking place citywide, motorists should expect heavy pedestrian activity in nightlife corridors such as The Wharf, Georgetown, and the H Street NE corridor. Please drive safely and utilize ride-share services if your celebrations include alcohol.