advertisement

---

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will replace a track switch and complete several other projects between the Takoma and Glenmont Metrorail stations in an effort to improve safety.

The track switch replacement was recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board.

Work also will focus on replacing two old track switches at the Silver Spring Metrorail station; installing 750 new track fasteners, 1,720 new ties, 525 feet of new track, 500 new rail insulators, new heater tape and new tunnel safety lights; and laying 2,400 feet of new fiber optic communications cables to support upgraded cell phone access. In addition, the agency will replace up to 6,400 feet of emergency fire lines and repair up to 4,800 feet of water leaks in the tunnels.

The work marks one of the largest maintenance projects involving station closures in WMATA’s 34-year history, agency officials said in a prepared statement.