CHAOS

D.C. Metro May Shut Down for 6 Months

Including entire Blue Line, for massive repairs.

Washington, D.C.’s metro officials said Wednesday that the system needs such extensive repairs that it may shut down entire lines for as much as six months. Tens of thousands of daily commuters would be affected by the decision. Board Chairman Jack Evans said commuters should at the very least anticipate the closure of segments of individual lines for extended periods. “In order to do repairs that are necessary, it may come to the point where we have to close the entire Blue Line for six months,” Evans continued. “People will go crazy. But there are going to be hard decisions that have to be made in order to get this fixed.” Evans added that the system may need an additional $1 billion in funding a year. Until now, the train system has typically experienced repair work at night, during short shutdowns, and on weekends.