Baltimore Metro Tests Track System Overnight
Baltimore Metro SubwayLink runs single track between Owings Mills and Reisterstown Plaza
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Metro SubwayLink Tests Single-Track Nights
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Baltimore's Metro SubwayLink will run on a single track between Owings Mills and Reisterstown Plaza for four consecutive nights starting Friday, April 24. The Maryland Transit Administration announced the service modification will affect late-night and early-morning riders between 8:00 pm and 5:00 am through Monday, April 27. The change accommodates scheduled train system testing on the subway line.
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The testing represents routine maintenance work that transit agencies conduct to ensure system reliability and safety. Single-tracking allows crews to work on one track while trains continue operating on the other, minimizing service disruptions compared to full shutdowns. The Metro SubwayLink runs 15.5 miles between Owings Mills and Johns Hopkins Hospital, serving as Baltimore's only heavy rail line. Officials didn't specify what particular system components the testing will evaluate or whether the work is part of a larger modernization effort.
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Riders boarding or exiting at four stations—Owings Mills, Old Court, Milford Mill, and Reisterstown Plaza—must use Track 2 during the testing period. The single-tracking will add travel time to trips, though officials haven't said how many additional minutes passengers should expect. The Metro SubwayLink typically operates with 11-minute headways during evening hours on weekdays. Station signage and announcements will direct passengers to the correct platform, according to the transit agency.
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The service modification takes effect at 8:00 pm Friday, April 24, and will repeat nightly through the weekend, ending at 5:00 am Monday, April 27. The testing schedule targets overnight hours when ridership is lowest to minimize passenger impact. Normal two-track operations will resume each morning after 5:00 am, officials said.
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Passengers should plan for longer trips during affected hours and consider alternative departure times if schedules allow. The Transit Information Contact Center is available Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm at 410.539.5000 or toll-free at 1.866.RIDE.MTA for questions about the service change. Moovit provides real-time Metro SubwayLink updates and alternative routing options for Baltimore transit riders.
