Metro News Release

For immediate release: May 19, 2005

Metro seeks multi-year contract to purchase, weld rail

Replacing worn, corroded or defective tracks will soon be easier as Metro officials are seeking new contracts to purchase and weld rail.

Metro is planning to put a multi-year contract in place to purchase a minimum of 400 tons (20,400 feet) of rail per year for up to four years and the labor and materials to weld those sections in place as part of its ongoing maintenance cycle to replace worn running rail, which are the set of tracks that the train wheels ride on. An electrified third rail is required to provide power to operate the trains, but it is a different type of track material.

Rail must be replaced to ensure safety when worn, corroded or defective rail is identified.

Metro plans to purchase the rail in 78-foot lengths to be welded into 390-foot lengths to allow rail installation of greater lengths to be accomplished with less effort and manpower than purchasing and welding the traditional 39-foot lengths. It makes for is an easier installation because it allows for better control of the welding process and is more efficient in transporting and installing the rail.

"Welding them together prior to transporting the rail to the work location and then installing them is more efficient," said Steve Feil, Metro’s COO of Rail. "This is a good way to improve a necessary process and ensure the integrity of the track infrastructure and smooth running of the Metrorail system."

Funding for this $4.3 million track maintenance and rehabilitation project is expected to come from the Metro Matters Funding agreement.

News release issued on May 19, 2005.