Metro made riders unload at Pentagon City to accomodate single-track operations. (Photo by Melanie Phung)

Metro passengers commuting through Northern Virginia this morning are facing delays of as long as 35 minutes following an early-morning spill of hydraulic fluid on tracks carrying the Blue and Yellow lines.

An accidental leak of hydraulic fluid occurred shortly before 5 a.m. on the outbound track and creating slippery conditions on the rails, Metro says. As a result, Yellow and Blue line trains are operating along a single track between the Braddock Road and Pentagon City.

Metro says that Yellow and Blue line riders should expect delays of at least 20 minutes and likely closer to 35 as the clean-up effort continues. The transit agency projects the fluid will not be mopped up until after rush hour.

UPDATE, 10:30 a.m.: Metro reports that two-track operations are back in effect for the affected stretch of track, though delays are expected to continue through at least 11:15 a.m.