Snow Recovery: Metro Runs Weekend Schedule and DC Government Delays Opening

Snow Recovery Continues: Metro Operates on Weekend Schedule

As the District begins its recovery from the recent winter storm, commuters should prepare for a modified travel landscape this Wednesday, January 28, 2026. While major thoroughfares have been largely cleared by snow removal crews, secondary roads may remain slippery, and public transit remains in a state of phased restoration. Motorists and transit users are advised to exercise caution, particularly during the morning hours when black ice may be present.

Public Transit: Rail and Bus Service Updates

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has announced that Metrorail is operating on a weekend schedule today to manage recovery efforts. Trains are expected to run approximately every 10 to 20 minutes across all lines. Commuters should be aware of several specific alerts and infrastructure issues impacting the network today:

• Red Line: Significant delays are reported in both directions due to an ongoing signal problem near the Grosvenor-Strathmore station.
• Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines: Residual delays are impacting service following a switch malfunction earlier this morning outside the Stadium-Armory station.
• Dupont Circle Station: The elevator servicing the mezzanine and street level is out of service starting today for a scheduled two-day rehabilitation project.
• Navy Yard-Ballpark: The Half Street entrance remains closed for a long-term escalator replacement project; riders are directed to use the New Jersey Avenue SE entrance.

Metrobus service is continuing to expand throughout the day as neighborhood road conditions improve. Approximately 87 routes are currently active, though many are still operating with detours or on snow-emergency routes. Commuters are encouraged to use real-time tracking tools to confirm bus arrivals before heading to unsheltered stops.

Road Conditions and Localized Construction

Driving conditions on major arteries like I-495 and I-395 are stable, but localized roadworks continue to affect surface street traffic. Key updates for Wednesday include:

• Metro Parking: WMATA has resumed the collection of parking fees at all Metro-owned facilities as of this morning.
• Nebraska Avenue NW: Sidewalk repair work continues between Tenley Circle and Davenport Street NW. Motorists should expect temporary lane closures and the presence of flaggers between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Connecticut Avenue NW: Ongoing deckover construction continues to close service lanes between Q Street and Dupont Circle.
• Theodore Roosevelt Bridge: Traffic remains reduced to three lanes due to long-term bridge rehabilitation work.

Government and Regional Status

Due to the ongoing recovery, the District of Columbia Government and Arlington County facilities have announced a delayed opening. Both jurisdictions will officially open at 10:00 a.m. today. While this delay may stagger the peak morning rush, commuters should still budget an additional 20 to 30 minutes for their journeys to account for reduced transit frequencies and potential icy patches on exit ramps and side streets.