Mar 16, 2016

Metrorail has shut down service Wednesday, March 16, with less than a day’s notice for emergency inspections of the system’s third-rail power cables.

Metro’s General Manager Paul Wiedefeld made the decision to shut down for 29 hours following a recent fire. The precautionary measures aim to prevent incidents like last year’s fatal fire.

: Two people ride bicycles as others get on a Metrobus, on Pennsylvania Ave., March 16, 2016 in Washington, DC. Metrorail has shut down service entirely today for emergency inspections of the system’s third-rail power cables after a tunnel fire earlier in the week. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

: With the D.C. Metro closed, the normally crowded escalators were empty at the entrance to the Metro Center station during the morning rush hours on March 16, 2016 in Washington, DC. Metro’s General manager Paul Wiedefeld made the decision to close for 29 hours for a safety inspection after a recent fire. Metro makes approximately 725,000 trips per day in the D.C. Metro area. (Photo by Pete Marovich/Getty Images)

: A man rides a bicycle on Pennsylvania Ave., March 16, 2016 in Washington, DC. Metrorail has shut down service entirely today for emergency inspections of the system’s third-rail power cables after a tunnel fire earlier in the week. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

: A commuter stands outside the locked gates of the New Carrollton Metro Station in New Carrollton, Maryland on March 16, 2016, after the DC Metro system closed for 24 hours for maintenance. Washington’s Metro train system is shut down all day for emergency inspections after an electrical fire in a tunnel, transport chiefs said, in an unprecedented move that threatens to cause mass disruption in the US capital. (AFP Photo / Jim Watson)

: Morning traffic builds up on 14th street NW in downtown Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The Metro subway system that serves the nation’s capital and its Virginia and Maryland suburbs shut down for a full-day for an emergency safety inspection of its third-rail power cables. Making for unusual commute, as the lack of service is forcing some people on the roads, while others are staying home or teleworking. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

: A man sits alone inside a Metrobus in downtown Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The Metro subway system that serves the nation’s capital and its Virginia and Maryland suburbs shut down for a full-day for an emergency safety inspection of its third-rail power cables. Making for unusual commute, as the lack of service is forcing some people on the roads, while others are staying home or teleworking. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

: A bicyclist moves past cars stuck in traffic along Florida Avenue in the Shaw neighborhood, in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The Metro subway system that serves the nation’s capital and its Virginia and Maryland suburbs shut down for a full-day for an emergency safety inspection of its third-rail power cables. Making for unusual commute, as the lack of service is forcing some people on the roads, while others are staying home or teleworking. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

: Morning traffic builds on Massachusetts Avenue, in Washington, Wednesday, March 16, 2016. The Metro subway system that serves the nation’s capital and its Virginia and Maryland suburbs shut down for a full-day for an emergency safety inspection of its third-rail power cables. Making for unusual commute, as the lack of service is forcing some people on the roads, while others are staying home or teleworking. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

: An aide to Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld, left, holds up a photo of a track damaged by fire as Wiedefeld speaks during a news conference to announce that the DC Metrorail service will be shut down for a full day, at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority headquarters, on Tuesday, March 15, 2016, in Washington. At center is DC Council member Jack Evans. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

: A sign at the Rosslyn, Va., Metro station notifies riders that the system is closed for emergency inspection Wednesday, March 16, 2016. An unprecedented safety shutdown of the Metro subway system inconvenienced hundreds of thousands of people in and around the nation’s capital on Wednesday. Federal workers telecommuted or took the day off, children missed school and countless others woke up early to take bus after bus, hail pricey taxis or slog through traffic. (AP Photo/Jessica Gresko)

D.C. Metro shuts down for 29 hours with less than a day’s notice

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