An arcing insulator near the Friendship Heights Metro station that started around 8 a.m. on Wednesday resulted in the temporary closure of the station as well as significant rush-hour delays along the Red Line.
Red Line customers may experience delays in both directions – track problem outside Friendship Heights. 7:51a #wmata
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) April 27, 2016
Red Line: Single tracking btwn Medical Ctr & Friendship Hghts due to a track problem outside Friendship Hghts. Delays in both directions. — Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) April 27, 2016
Fire department response at Friendship Hts due to an arcing insulator. Trains single tracking Medical Center to Friendship Hts. 8:13a #wmata
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) April 27, 2016
Red Line: Trains are temporarily bypassing Friendship Heights due to fire department activity. Shuttle bus service requested. — Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) April 27, 2016
Red Line: Friendship Heights station is temporarily closed due to an arcing insulator. Expect delays in both directions. 8:26a #wmata
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) April 27, 2016
Shady Grove-bound trains also had to bypass the Bethesda station to reduce single-tracking between the Friendship Heights and Medical Center stations. But as of 8:47 a.m., Metro says single-tracking had ended.
Red Line-good track inspection, 2-track service resuming Friendship Heights to Medical Center. 8:47a #wmata
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) April 27, 2016
Red Line: No longer single tracking. Residual delays continue in both directions due to an earlier track problem outside Friendship Hghts.
— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) April 27, 2016
The incident follows a tough week for Red Line riders, including a fire between the Friendship Heights and Tenleytown stations on Saturday.