Temporary bus-only lanes will be installed along portions of Rockville Pike this summer to help keep Metro shuttle buses moving during a planned Red Line shutdown between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights.
Due to major construction on the Red Line, starting from July 6 through Sept. 6, trains will not operate between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights. Free shuttle buses will replace the trains from Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center and Bethesda. The free shuttle bus service will operate every five to eight minutes.
WMATA officials said that the 7.5 lane miles of dedicated bus lanes will help keep buses on schedule. However, drivers along Rockville Pike should expect to see changes to traffic patterns and backups.
State and county transportation agencies said the bus-only lanes will not be enforced until the start of the Red line closure.
Free parking will be available at the North Bethesda and Grosvenor-Strathmore stations during the shutdown, according to Metro.
WMATA map of major Red Line construction zone planned for summer 2026.
