WMATA wraps up second round of accelerated repair work

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has completed its second "surge" of repair work as part of an accelerated maintenance plan, the agency announced yesterday.

Over a 16-day period, crews repaired or replaced critical rail infrastructure affecting train speeds and ride quality, WMATA officials said in a press release.

In particular, crews completed the following tasks:
• replacement of four major switches at the D&G Junction located just beyond the Stadium Armory Metrorail station in southeastern District of Columbia;
• replacement of more than 500 wood crossties;
• renewal of more than 230 third-rail insulators; and
• elimination of more than 20 rail joints.

The work is part of WMATA's "SafeTrack" maintenance plan, which fits three years worth of repairs into one year. The plan includes a total of 15 long-duration track outages or "surges."

"I am satisfied that we are accomplishing our objectives with respect to the pace of track work progress in Surge No. 2," said WMATA General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Paul Wiedefeld. "Our continued success depends upon Metro customers heeding the warnings about reduced service during SafeTrack surges and finding alternate ways to commute. I am optimistic as we get underway now with Surge No. 3."

WMATA's third surge began July 5 and includes a complete rail shutdown between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Braddock Road, which impacts Yellow and Blue Line riders.