WASHINGTON - Major track work on the Yellow and Green lines will sever one of Metro's two Potomac River crossings and close two stations for the entire three-day holiday weekend.

Metro closed the Waterfront-SEU and Archives-Navy Memorial stations. The stations will reopen Tuesday morning.

There will be no Green Line service between Gallery Place-Chinatown and Navy Yard stations during that time. Green Line trains will run from Greenbelt to Gallery Place and from Navy Yard to Branch Avenue. Blue and Orange line service at L'Enfant Plaza will not be affected. 

As a result, Metro riders encountered red tape and steel doors the closed stops Saturday.

"I was like, whoa, what is going on," said Mike Williams, Capitol Heights resident

The transit agency is using the entire weekend to replace rail interlocking switches and conduct safety inspections and track maintenance.

"We're telling people, give themselves 30 minutes additional travel time," said Metro spokesman Steven Taubenkibel.

"I think it's okay. If it needs to be done, it needs to be done," said Dave Hilferty, a tourist.

But others aren't too happy about the timing. "They didn't really announce that they're doing construction, I have to be in Chinatown in 15 minutes," said Brian Whitesides, Arlington resident.

The closures weren't the only frustration for riders. Having to wait for the free shuttle bus also made matters worse.

"We've been out here good 15 minutes and there hasn't been not one on this side..." said Robert Young, Largo resident.

From a business perspective, local restaurants are worried about taking a hit. The Penn Quarter Sports Tavern sits just feet from one of the off-limit spots.

"A lot of our business comes from the Metro because it's so close by," said Marty Thomas, general manager of The Penn Quarter Sports Tavern. "It is what it is I suppose so we don't call the Metro Board and say, 'Hey! What are you doing?'"

Erin Dorsey is playing the role of tour guide for some friends, she's concerned about getting around easily.

"It kind of puts a damper on their visit," she said.

Metro says the holiday weekend work is a necessary evil, and better than the alternative.

"Because of that we are trying to get all the work done in one weekend as opposed to spreading it out," said Spokesperson Steve Taubenkibel.

» shuttle bus map

For Friday night only, northbound Yellow Line trains will stop at Pentagon. But the trains will be re-routed on Saturday, Sunday and Monday to follow the Blue Line path, terminating at Stadium Armory. 

Metro is establishing shuttle bus service to help passengers get around the closures.

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