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Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Planning and Development Committee made history Feb. 7, recommending the authority's largest-ever single construction contract: a $217 million deal for line, trackwork and systems awarded to the joint venture Lane/Granite/Slattery/Skanska Inc. for Metro’s Blue Line extension to Largo, Md.



The contract covers heavy construction — at grade, open cut, elevated and underground — of the 3.1-mile extension, as well as construction of a traction power and train control facilities equipment maintenance room; installation of communications, electrical and mechanical systems; and an underground car storage, inspection and maintenance yard with tail tracks to accommodate 36 rail cars. Construction is expected to begin this month and continue for 34 months.



Metro broke ground on the line last May under the first of the project’s three contracts. The final contract, which is for the project’s two stations (Morgan Boulevard and the Largo Town Center), and parking facilities, is expected to be awarded this spring. Line construction will take place concurrently with station construction.



Metro board members are expected to approve and formally award the line construction contract at their next meeting Feb. 21.