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5/9/2008



Rail News: Rail Industry Trends

WMATA to delay planned improvements in lieu of 'critical repairs'


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The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will delay more than $100 million in system upgrades to instead fund critical repairs, the agency announced yesterday.

The authority has identified $489 million in needed repairs, such as improving deteriorating platforms, and replacing worn-out track fasteners and water-damaged cables. WMATA will delay plans to rehabilitate track, stations, tunnels, bridges, elevators, escalators, parking lots.

In addition, the agency is seeking board approval to borrow up to $48 million to help pay for the state-of-good-repair projects. The money also would be spent on safety enhancements, system upgrades needed to run more eight-car trains, and rail and information technology equipment.

WMATA still needs $332 million during the next six years to pay for capital needs, such as track improvements and power upgrades.

The authority’s capital projects are funded through the state and local governments served by WMATA in the District of Columbia, northern Virginia and Maryland, which also are facing budget shortfalls. WMATA currently doesn’t have a dedicated funding source, but is advocating for additional federal funding when the transportation bill comes up for reauthorization later this year. In addition, a bill stalled in the Senate that would authorize $1.5 billion in federal funding for WMATA over a 10-year period.