UPDATE 4:52 a.m.: Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein says all stations, including Farragut North, will open Thursday morning on a normal weekday schedule.

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ORIGINAL

Falling concrete in Metro's Farragut North station closed the station Wednesday night and caused delays on Red Line trains.

With a private contractor building a median in the middle of Connecticut Avenue between K and L Streets, NW, suddenly the above-ground work caused debris to fall and smash onto a Metro train platform below ground.

Farragut North was shut down for fear more debris could fall. No one reported any injuries.

Initially, some exits and entrances were closed and train service slowed considerably going in and out of the station. Then at around 8 p.m., the station was shut down for an emergency inspection.

Structural engineers are on site trying to determine what penetrated that ceiling tile and when it will be safe to reopen the station.

Trains are running through the station, but they aren't stopping.

And Metro officials don't know when Farragut North will re-open. The hope is that the mess will be fixed by the morning rush.

At 9:44 p.m., Metro issued the following statement:

Farragut North Metrorail station closed for remainder of evening
For immediate release: November 17, 2010

Precautionary emergency inspection taking place after ceiling tile dislodged

The Farragut North Metrorail station is closed for the remainder of the evening (Wednesday, Nov. 17) while Metro personnel perform emergency inspections of the area where a ceiling tile became dislodged and fell to the platform late this afternoon. There were no injuries. Structural engineers are examining the station ceiling and an area along Connecticut Avenue that was disrupted by roadway construction above the station.

While we apologize to our customers for the inconvenience, we are proceeding with an abundance of caution to ensure the safety of our passengers, employees and facilities.

Metro closed the station at 8 p.m. Red Line trains are passing through the station, but not stopping at Farragut North for the remainder of Wednesday night.

Customers can use alternate stations, such as the nearby Farragut West Metrorail station on the Blue and Orange Line or use nearby Dupont Circle or Metro Center Metrorail stations on the Red Line to enter or exit the rail system in the vicinity of Farragut North.

Metro has established free shuttle bus service between Metro Center and Dupont Circle, with a stop at Farragut North. However, customers are reminded that a bus holds approximately 50 passengers, while a six-car train can carry hundreds of passengers. Therefore, riders may experience long waits for shuttle buses.

Many Metrobus options also are available in the Farragut Square neighborhood, including Metrobus routes 42, 43, 38B, D1, D3, N2, N4, N6 and L2.

Before traveling, riders should check Metro's web site for updates on the station closure.

News release issued at 9:44 pm, November 17, 2010.