WMATA proceeds with “Metro Forward” work

Written by jrood

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority released a schedule of planned major track work for the second half of 2012. WMATA's massive rebuilding effort, known as Metro Forward, will resume with midday trackwork on Monday, April 16 and with weekend trackwork on Friday, April 20.

“We have made considerable progress on improving the safety and reliability of Metrorail, but we have much more to do,” said WMATA General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles. “I know that there are times when this work inconveniences our customers and we appreciate their continued understanding as we rebuild.”

In the first three months of 2012, WMATA rehabilitated eight escalators, advanced rebuilding of three elevators, installed 15,760 linear feet of rail, 23,501 fasteners and 4,297 wood crossties.In addition, WMATA announced that work to install new “Guarded #8” switches, a key NTSB safety recommendation, will be completed next month and later this week; a WMATA Board committee will consider a request to reprogram approximately $14 million for numerous improvements, most notably, life-safety modernization that will advance upgrades to wayside third rail emergency trip stations earlier than planned.

“Metro Forward is the largest capital program in Metro’s history and the biggest single undertaking since the construction of the system itself,” said Rob Troup, WMATA’s assistant general manager of transit infrastructure and engineering services.

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