D.C. Metro successfully completes Labor Day weekend track work
Written by jrood
The track overhaul on the Red Line that closed the Takoma, Silver Spring, Forest Glen, Wheaton and Glenmont Metrorail stations in the Washington, D.C., area during the three-day Labor Day weekend was completed successfully and all five stations reopened on time at 5 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7.
During the weekend, track
workers focused on replacing old components to keep the rail system in a state
of good repair. They replaced two old track switches at the Silver Spring
Metrorail station and installed 750 new track fasteners, 1,720 new crossties,
525 feet of new track, 500 new rail insulators, new tunnel safety lights and
repaired up to 4,800 feet of water leaks in the tunnels.
To help ensure fire-safe
conditions, Metro replaced 6,400 feet of emergency fire lines along the tracks.
To support upgraded cell
phone access in the Metrorail system, 2,400 feet of new fiber optic
communications cables was installed. The improved cell phone access is a
Congressional mandate and serves as an added customer convenience as well as a
safety enhancement.
New heater tape was
installed along the outdoor tracks to help improve rail conditions during times
of the year when ice and snow is expected. Heater tape helps ensure that there
is less of a build-up of ice or snow on the tracks during inclement winter
conditions and helps maintain rail service during such storms.
Through the remainder of
the week of Sept. 7, Red Line trains operating between the Forest Glen and
Takoma Metrorail stations will travel at reduced speeds because of the
maintenance work that occurred during the weekend.
The free shuttle buses
were busy throughout the weekend with buses filling up as trains emptied at the
Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring, Fort Totten, Takoma and Georgia
Ave-Petworth Metrorail stations. Approximately 37,762 customers used the
shuttle buses to help complete their trips during the entire weekend of work.
As a reminder, during the
Columbus Day Holiday weekend (Oct. 8-11) Metro will close the McPherson Square
Metrorail station to replace the rail switch outside the station. This track
switch replacement is work recommended by the National Transportation Safety
Board.
Additional details on the Columbus Day Holiday weekend project will be
made available later.
