WMATA Wraps Downtown Metrorail Construction
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
WMATA
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) released that it has finished its Downtown Metrorail construction early.
Not only did the construction finish ahead of schedule, but it was also more than $450,000 under budget. The work was part of Metro’s six-year, $12 billion Capital Improvement Program. Service was able to resume on December 30th, according to the release.
Among the work on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines, crews spent time replacing 2,400 feet of track, grout pads, rail fasteners, and studs. They also completed water mitigation work to keep the tunnels dry, replaced insulators to protect the powered third rail, and replaced signaling switch machines. Along with deep cleaning the stations, crews worked to upgrade the platform edge lighting with LED lights.
“We appreciate our customers’ patience as we complete this critical work,” said Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. “This is the busiest section of our system, which required critical work to keep the system reliable and safe. I want to thank our great team for working through the holidays and cold weather to get work done during a time that is least impactful to customers.”
