D.C. Metro closes stations amid threats of inauguration violence.

Washington — Metro will shut down more than a dozen stations near the U.S. Capitol and National Mall for days surrounding the presidential inauguration because of the possibility of violent protests.

The transit agency will start closing 13 stations starting Friday through next Thursday, the day after President-elect Joe Biden is inaugurated on the steps of the Capitol. Metrobus service and routes also will be adjusted around a security perimeter guarded by fences and an expected 20,000 members of the National Guard.

The transit precautions were made through coordination with the Secret Service, which is directing safety of the event after last week’s attempted insurrection and riot at the U.S. Capitol that left five dead and wounded several others.

“We are working closely with our regional and federal partners to keep the public safe during this National Special Security Event and to discourage travel within the secure zone,” Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld said. “While we are supporting law enforcement plans to enhance security, we are also keeping essential services in place for our residents who need to get to work, to medical appointments, and to grocery stores.”

The closures will start Friday at 11 Metro stations near the Capitol and National Mall. Two more will close Saturday, and all will remain closed until Jan. 21, Metro said in a statement.

Wait times of 12 minutes on the Red Line and 15 minutes on all other lines can be expected starting Friday. Trains will bypass and run through closed Metro stations without stopping, Metro said.

Stations closing on Friday include: Farragut North, Judiciary Square and Union Station on the Red Line; Archives on the Green and Yellow Lines; Arlington Cemetery on the Blue Line; Farragut West McPherson Square, Federal Center SW, Capitol South, Smithsonian and Federal Triangle on the Orange, Blue and Silver Lines.

Stations closing Saturday are Metro Center and Gallery Place, two of the system’s largest transfer stations.