Because of file size restrictions, this entry has two parts. This is part one:
This is part two:
WMAL News is proud to submit its coverage of the March 16, 2016 shutdown of the entire Washington Metrorail system for Outstanding Non-Breaking News Coverage in the 2017 SPJ Washington Dateline awards competition.
Metro made the unprecedented decision to shutdown its entire rail system on Wednesday, March 16th on just 12 hours notice, after a smoke incident at a downtown station sparked fears of an imminent danger to riders. Smoking insulators had caused a breakdown and ultimately a passenger’s death in a 2015 incident at the L’Enfant Plaza Metro station, and a series of similar events led to fears inside Metro management that an imminent danger existed.
A March 14th smoke incident prompted a partial shutdown of three Metro lines downtown, and inspections that day prompted Metro officials to announce on March 15th that the entire system would be closed for emergency inspections and replacement of suspect parts on the following day, Wednesday March 16th.
On little notice, hundreds of thousands of Metro commuters had to find a way to get to work in the middle of a very busy work week.
WMAL News was on the scene throughout – covering the initial smoke event at McPherson Square, then following the shutdown from its initial announcement through preparation efforts, the shutdown itself and its aftermath.
This entry includes:
* Part of an interview on Monday, March 14th by WMAL’s Larry O’Connor with Chris Barnes, President of FixWMATA, a riders advocacy group, describing the initial problem at McPherson Square.
* A portion of our 5 pm newscast on March 15th, just after a news conference (heard live on WMAL) announcing the entire system’s shutdown. Report includes a live debrief from WMAL reporter Steve Burns live at Metro headquarters, and a report by WMAL’s Nicole Raz with riders wondering how they’ll get to work.
* A portion of our 8 am newscast on Shutdown Day, March 16th, with reports from several reporters, recapping the stafety issues and checking out transit alternatives, from bus to bike to walking on foot.
* A report from Union Station, where reporter Steve Burns says it’s tough to get a cab, and passengers coming off of Amtrak trains ponder how they’re going to get where they’re going.
* A portion of an interview by WMAL’s Larry O’Connor with Washington Post traffic expert Robert Thomson (aka Dr. Gridlock), assessing how Metro’s inspections and repairs have gone through the day.
* Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld announces in a 6 pm news conference on March 16th (carried live on WMAL) that inspections are going well, and that the system will tentatively open on time March 17th as expected.
* A portion of our 6 am newscast on March 17th, advising listeners that Metro indeed did open on time.
* A report on March 23rd from reporter Caroline Tucker, outlining the costs and impacts of Metro’s one-day shutdown.
