Rockville, Maryland — Starting January 16, subway passengers will once again be able to board trains at Shady Grove and Rockville subway stations. These stations have been closed to provide train services in order to replace the roof of Rockville station and work on the tracks between the stations.

The shutdown should initially last until December 4, but the subway announced in early November that the project deadline will be extended to January.

The steel structure of the Rockville station canopy has been installed, but the subway is still waiting for glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) panels, which are not yet ready for the reopening of the station. The subway said that the canopy will provide cover for passengers, but the "external cladding" will be completed after reopening.

"The Shady Grove and Rockville stations will be ready for rail service for red line customers on January 16," Metro general manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld said in a press release. "Our project team will continue to work hard to ensure that the completed canopy meets Metro's quality standards and provide customers with a safe and comfortable waiting place."

Some upgrades to the new canopy include new information screens, brighter lights and modern boarding gates. The subway company said it carried out track repairs and installed more than 7.3 miles of fiber optic cables to enhance radio communications — if it was not shut down, it would require nine months of weekend shutdowns and overnight work, it said.

Rockville’s Park & ​​Ride was resurfaced, and the pedestrian bridge was refurbished earlier this year. The subway company said that in Shady Grove, the platform canopy, roof and escalators are being repaired, and modern ticket gates are being installed.

"The focus of Metro's capital plan is to maintain and improve the system, including our train stations and facilities, over the next few decades," Wiedefeld said in a press release. "We appreciate the patience of the community because we ensure that Rockville Station's long-term plan meets quality and safety standards."