Overview
- Metro restored normal Red Line service at Bethesda, Medical Center and Grosvenor‑Strathmore on Monday after a nine‑week full closure for heavy construction.
- During the shutdown Metro carried more than 1.2 million riders on free shuttle buses that ran along Maryland Route 355 between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights.
- The Maryland State Highway Administration began overnight work to remove about 7.5 lane‑miles of temporary bus‑only striping on MD‑355 and to restore on‑street parking with work expected through Sept. 11.
- Crews used the full shutdown to build a new mezzanine and platform at Bethesda to tie Metro into the planned Purple Line, and supervisors say about 18 more months of construction will be needed at Bethesda.
- Riders expressed widespread relief at the return of rail service, and officials say the accelerated closure saved time and money compared with a phased approach while shifting disruption from rail to coordinated bus and street changes.