Metro News Release
For immediate release: November 4, 2010
NTSB recommendations, safety, state of good repair receive top priority in Metro's preliminary Capital Improvement Program
Metro proposal includes more than $1.18 billion to address NTSB recommendations
The Metro Board Finance and Administration Committee today, Nov. 4, reviewed Metro’s preliminary FY2012-FY2017 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), which commits at least $1.18 billion to address National Transportation Safety Board recommendations over the next seven years and prioritizes safety and state of good repair projects.
Metro staff is recommending that the FY2012-FY2017 CIP implement NTSB-related projects totaling $330 million in addition to $850 million that already has been budgeted to replace Metro’s oldest rail cars. The recommended FY2012-FY2017 CIP will fund all projects with Board-approved contract awards and prioritizes state-of-good-repair over expansion projects.
“Metro is committed to funding and expediting projects that address all of the National Transportation Safety Board’s recommendations,” said Metro Interim General Manager Richard Sarles. “We will continue to make safety improvement projects a priority as we also work to make necessary infrastructure upgrades that are vital to maintaining the levels of service that Metro currently provides.”
Metro staff proposes funding the following projects that address NTSB recommendations during the next six years as part of Metro’s Capital Improvement Program:
• Replacing the 1000 series rail cars;
• Replacing all No. 8 mainline switches;
• Replacing all audio frequency track circuit modules;
• Removing an unnecessary wayside maintenance communications system;
• Conducting a comprehensive safety analysis of the Automatic Train Control system;
• Implementing cable insulation resistance testing as part of the maintenance program;
• Adding onboard event recorders on 1000-series and 4000-series rail cars;
• Developing a program to monitor the event recorders;
• Assessing track circuits;
• Developing a program to periodically determine that electronic components in the train control systems are performing within design tolerances;
• Implementing a loss of shunt tool;
• Institutionalizing and employing an enhanced track circuit verification test; and
• Replacing power cables.
In addition to funding NTSB recommendations, Metro staff is recommending that the FY2012-FY2017 CIP prioritize state-of-good repair over expansion projects, which include:
• Rehabilitating portions of the Metrorail system between Dupont Circle and Silver Spring and between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Stadium-Armory Metrorail stations;
• Rehabilitating escalators and elevators;
• Upgrading power systems in order to accommodate more eight-car trains;
• Replacing buses and MetroAccess vehicles;
• Upgrading rail and bus maintenance equipment;
• Upgrading operations support software and equipment;
• Rehabilitating and replacing old bus garages, including the Royal Street, Southeastern and Southern Ave bus garages; and
• Enhancing the Metrobus Priority Corridor Network.
Funding for Metro’s Capital Improvement Program is made possible as a result of increased contributions from the jurisdictions that fund Metro, federal stimulus dollars provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, dedicated federal and local matching funds provided by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 and debt issuance.
The cost to implement NTSB-related recommendations may need to be amended pending the outcome of a system safety analysis.
Final approval of the FY2012-FY2017 Capital Improvement Program will be requested by the Board in June 2011.
News release issued at 1:16 pm, November 4, 2010.