Photo by Constructed Spaces

Earlier this week, we realized that for Metro riders, Saturday promises what will certainly be a clogged intersection of Nationals (and, sigh, Phillies) fans trying to get to Nationals Park, Capitals fans en route to the Verizon Center and a full schedule of weekend track work. And despite a riders’ advocacy group’s best efforts, Metro responded that it could not adjust its National Transportation Safety Board-mandated schedule to accomodate two sporting events, no matter how anticipated.

Expect tightly packed trains and overstuffed platforms across the Red, Green and Yellow lines. The puck drops on the Capitals and Rangers at 12:35 p.m. as the Caps seek to recover from Wednesday night’s triple-overtime heartbreaker. Just half an hour later, the Nationals and Phillies will play the second game of their three-game series. And, oh, there are several stations closed on the Green Line, a truncated route for the Yellow Line and only one train every 24 minutes on the Red Line.

So, in anticipation of tomorrow’s inevitable fleshy pileup, here’s the full rundown of this weekend’s track work, which also touches the Blue and Orange lines:

Green Line:
Stations from Greenbelt to West Hyattsville will be closed for NTSB-recommended switch upgrades. Replacement shuttle buses are expected to add 50 minutes to riders’ journeys.

Yellow Line:
Trains will run only from Huntington to Mt. Vernon Square due to work on the Green Line.

Red Line:
Trains will operate along a single track between Forest Glen and Takoma for platform reconstruction and also between Van Ness and Dupont Circle for rail and fastener renewal, with trains running only once every 24 minutes throughout the weekend.

Orange Line:
Trains will single-track between Eastern Market and Stadium-Armory for track maintenance and station repairs, and between East Falls Church and West Falls Church to accomodate testing on the Silver Line. Trains will operate every 20 minutes.

Blue Line:
Trains will single-track between Eastern Market and Stadium-Armory for track maintenance and station repairs, with trains running every 20 minutes. Blue and Orange line trains are expected to arrive within two minutes of each other.

Although Metro was unable to bend its maintenance schedule, the transit agency did whip up some advice for the tens of thousands of sports fans who will be converging at the Gallery Place or Navy Yard stations:

Tips for getting to Verizon Center this weekend

• The closest station is Gallery Place, served by Metro’s Red, Green and Yellow lines.
• Customers traveling from from Virginia should consider taking the Yellow Line for a direct trip Gallery Place. Yellow Line service will operate on normal weekend intervals between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square.
• Riders on the eastern end of the Red Line or northern end of the Green Line, can consider driving and parking at Fort Totten to connect with either the Red or Green lines.
• Customers from points south and east should consider Green Line stations south of downtown. Green Line service will operate normally between Branch Avenue and Fort Totten throughout the weekend.
• Blue and Orange line customers should consider walking from Metro Center to avoid transferring. Metro Center is about six blocks away from the arena.
• Many Metrobus routes stop nearby, including the 70, 74, X2, 80, P6, 42, D3 and D4. The DC Circulator also is an option.

Tips for getting to Nationals Park this weekend

• The closest station is Navy Yard on Metro’s Green Line, but Capitol South on the Orange and Blue lines is a short walk (about 8 blocks or 0.8 miles) to the north of the ballpark. Blue and Orange line customers should consider walking from Capitol South to avoid transferring.
• Riders on the eastern end of the Red Line or northern end of the Green Line, may consider driving and parking at Fort Totten to connect with the Green Line.
• Those who drive and park also may consider parking at stations on the southern end of the Green Line. Anacostia station, for example, is one stop from Navy Yard, is conveniently located off of DC-295 and provides secure garage parking. Green Line service will operate normally between Branch Avenue and Fort Totten throughout the weekend.
• Metrobus routes that stop within walking distance include the 74, P1, P2, V8 and V9. The DC Circulator also is an option, especially for customers traveling from Union Station.

Metro will also be running additional “gap trains” to ferry the gluts of hopefully victorious fans from Gallery Place and Navy Yard after the games.

And, if we might add one bit of advice, should you encounter a Phillies fan needing directions to Nationals Park this weekend: Smile, be kind and then give them directions that will land them on the opposite end of town.