Silver Spring station

Red Line service at Silver Spring began on February 6, 1978. Prior to the opening of Forest Glen on September 22, 1990, Silver Spring was the northeastern terminus of the Red Line. MARC trains began service in this location in 2003, replacing the Silver Spring Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Station, located about {{convert|.25|mi}} to the south.

On July 7, 2020, a 7000-series train derailed at low speed on the southbound track as it was leaving the station. There were no injuries.{{cite web |last1=Massimo |first1=Rick |last2=Alim |first2=Teta |title=Metro investigates after Red Line train derails outside Silver Spring station |url=https://wtop.com/tracking-metro-24-7/2020/07/red-line-train-derails-outside-silver-spring-metro-station/ |website=WTOP |date=7 July 2020}} An investigation is underway to determine the cause.

The Purple Line system is under construction as of 2022 and is scheduled to open in 2027.{{cite news |last=Shaver |first=Katherine |date=2022-01-26 |title=Md. board approves $3.4 billion contract to complete Purple Line |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2022/01/26/purple-line-contract-maryland/}}

On September 26, 2008,{{Cite web|url=https://silverspringneighborhoods.blogspot.com/2008/09/disruption-to-come-with-transit-center.html|title=Silver Spring Neighborhoods: Disruption to come with transit center construction - Gazette|last=Bowser|first=Alan|date=2008-09-28|website=Silver Spring Neighborhoods|access-date=2019-10-07}} there was a groundbreaking ceremony that took place at the Silver Spring Metro Station, as construction of the Silver Spring Transit Center was about to begin two days later. On September 28, 2008, both the original Silver Spring Metro Station Bus Bay where all WMATA Metrobus, Montgomery County Ride-On, and Shuttle UM Bus Routes originally stopped at, as well as the original Silver Spring Metro Station Kiss & Ride Lot were demolished, in order to make room for the construction of the Silver Spring Transit Center. As a result, all bus route terminals were temporarily rerouted to the side streets near the Silver Spring Metro Station until the Silver Spring Transit Center opened. The facility has 34 bays for Metro, Ride-on Buses, Shuttle-UM, "Kiss and Ride" access, Metrorail, and MARC train service. Its increased capacity is expected to ease the implementation of the Purple Line. The Transit Center will also mark the location for the future northern terminus of the Metropolitan Branch Trail, which heads southbound to Washington Union Station. The transit center is named for former U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes.Montgomery County Department of General Services, Rockville, MD (July 12, 2011). [http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=/content/DGS/DBDC/RegionalProjectPages/SilverSpringProjects/sstc.asp "Paul S. Sarbanes Silver Spring Transit Center."] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110701231646/http://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgtmpl.asp?url=%2Fcontent%2FDGS%2FDBDC%2FRegionalProjectPages%2FSilverSpringProjects%2Fsstc.asp |date=July 1, 2011 }}

The complex was subject to construction problems and the schedule was extensively delayed.{{cite news |title=Silver Spring Transit Center will open by September, officials say |first=Victor |last=Zapana |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/silver-spring-transit-center-will-open-by-september-officials-say/2012/10/11/68634764-13e1-11e2-ba83-a7a396e6b2a7_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 11, 2012}}

On March 19, 2013, an engineering firm engaged by Montgomery County to investigate the defects issued a report that indicated "significant and serious design and construction defects, including excessive cracking, missing post-tensioning cables, inadequate reinforcing steel, and concrete of insufficient strength and thickness."Statement of Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett Concerning the Silver Spring Transit Center (March 19, 2013). [http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/statements/ST_details.asp?StID=572]

In May 2014, repairs were announced to begin for the summer with the hope of completing them in time to open by early 2015,Repairs on trouble-plagued Silver Spring transit center scheduled to resume next week [https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/repairs-on-trouble-plagued-silver-spring-transit-center-scheduled-to-resume-next-week/2014/05/29/9e29771e-e76c-11e3-a86b-362fd5443d19_story.html] but after two months they had not resumed.

The facility was transferred from Montgomery County to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) in August 2015 after the completion of renovations,{{cite news |last1=Lazo |first1=Luz |title=Metro plans Sept. 20 opening of problem-plagued Silver Spring Transit Center |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/metro-plans-sept-20-opening-of-problem-plagued-silver-spring-transit-center/2015/08/20/226e1408-473e-11e5-8e7d-9c033e6745d8_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=August 20, 2015}} and opened on September 20, 2015, five years behind schedule.{{cite news |last1=Phillips |first1=Susan |last2=Goncalves |first2=Delia |title=Long delayed Silver Spring Transit Center opens Sunday|url=http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/2015/09/18/long-delayed-silver-spring-transit-center-opens-sunday/72385584/ |access-date=September 28, 2015 |work=WUSA9 News |date=September 20, 2015}}

On June 1, 2024, all Red Line stations north of Fort Totten, including Silver Spring, were closed to allow the Maryland Transit Authority to work on the upcoming Purple Line. Takoma re-opened on June 28, with the rest of the stations scheduled to re-open on September 1st.{{cite web |title=5 Red Line stations are now closed for weeks of summer construction |url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/transportation/5-red-line-stations-are-now-closed-for-weeks-of-summer-construction/3630278/ |website=NBC4 Washington |access-date=3 June 2024}}

Like Brookland–CUA, the Red Line island platform at Silver Spring is slightly curved, with convex mirrors located on the inbound side of the platform to aid train operators in making sure the area is clear before closing the doors. There is a pocket track just beyond the WMATA station, which used to be for turning back trains towards Grosvenor–Strathmore in select rush hour trips.{{Cite web |date=February 21, 2019 |first=Sean |last=Emerson|title=Some Red Line riders only get half the service. When will Metro end the Silver Spring turnback? |url=https://ggwash.org/view/71011/red-line-riders-at-the-glenmont-wheaton-and-forest-glen-stations-want-to-end-the-turnback |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=ggwash.org |language=en}}{{cite web|url=https://wjla.com/news/local/new-proposal-could-end-metros-silver-spring-turnback |title=New proposal could end Metro's Silver Spring turnback on the Red Line |website=wjla.com |publisher=WJLA |author=Heather Graf |date=February 26, 2019 |access-date=January 15, 2025}} The MARC station straddles the Metro station, with a single track and side platform on either side of the Red Line. The MARC platforms are slightly offset from the Metro platform and are connected by a pedestrian bridge. Access between the Red Line and other services is provided via an elevator or escalators from the platform to two ground-level mezzanines, one at the north end of the platform connecting to Colesville Road and one at the center of the platform serving the Transit Center and Metropolitan Branch Trail. Silver Spring station is accessible, with a single elevator between the Metro platform and the lobby. Installation of redundant elevators is planned as part of the construction of the Purple Line.{{cite web|url=https://ggwash.org/view/39189/these-metro-stations-have-backup-elevators |title=These Metro stations have backup elevators |publisher=Greater Greater Washington |accessdate=2024-04-21}} The Purple Line will have two side platforms.{{cite web |url=https://purplelinemd.com/overview/2478 |title=Silver Spring |publisher=Maryland Transit Administration |access-date=April 8, 2025}}

The Silver Spring station is also home to Penguin Rush Hour, a {{convert|100|by|8|ft|adj=on}} mural painted by Sally Callmer Thompson, depicting penguins as Metro customers during rush hour.Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, Washington, D.C. [http://www.wmata.com/community_outreach/metroarts/artwork/red/silver_1.cfm "Silver Spring Station: Penguin Rush Hour, 1989."] Community Outreach - MetroArts. Accessed July 12, 2011. Although originally intended to be a temporary exhibit, the mural placed at the station in the early 1990s has become a symbol of the downtown area of Silver Spring. In 2004, the Silver Spring Regional Center, a county government facility, commissioned the original artist to restore the mural, which was damaged by the elements and missing sections, for approximately $30,000. In 2004-2005, the mural was removed for restoration, with the promise that it would be returned by the end of 2005.{{cite news |last=Levine |first=Susan |date=March 5, 2006 |title=Update: In Silver Spring, Metro Penguins Will Rise Again |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/04/AR2006030401015.html |work=The Washington Post}} Subsequently, the county decided to postpone re-installation of the mural until completion of the new transit center.Celebrate Silver Spring Foundation. [http://www.silverspringdowntown.com/go/penguin-rush-hour "Penguin Rush Hour Artist: Sally Callmer."] Silver Spring Downtown. Accessed July 18, 2011. In March 2017 a digital copy of the mural, printed on aluminum sheets for durability, was installed at the transit center.{{cite news |last=Kelly |first=John |date=March 28, 2017 |title=After a very long migration, the penguins have returned to Silver Spring |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/after-a-very-long-migration-the-penguins-have-returned-to-silver-spring/2017/03/28/c33566d8-132b-11e7-833c-503e1f6394c9_story.html |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

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{{WMATA links}}

• [https://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=38.993781,-77.031723&spn=0.003936,0.013722&z=17&layer=c&cbll=38.993929,-77.031813&panoid=pfypDtg568UFvEfmOvokvg&cbp=12,356.56,,0,-1.49 Colesville Road entrance from Google Maps Street View]
• [http://www.taterenner.com/sstc.php Photos of construction of the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center]

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Category:Brunswick Line

Category:Downtown Silver Spring, Maryland

Category:Purple Line (Maryland)

Category:Railway stations in Montgomery County, Maryland

Category:Stations on the Red Line (Washington Metro)

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Category:Buildings and structures in Silver Spring, Maryland

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Category:Railway stations in the United States opened in 1978

Category:1978 establishments in Maryland