Metro News Release
For immediate release: November 18, 2010
Overhaul of the Red Line continues
Safety, customer service and infrastructure upgrades planned
Upgrading public address systems, closed circuit cameras and monitors, modernizing restrooms, replacing worn out flooring and installing new tunnel lighting are among the many enhancements that customers will see coming to Metro’s Red Line.
The Metro Board of Directors today (Nov. 18) approved awarding three contract options for $37 million to continue the comprehensive infrastructure and rehabilitation work started last year. In total, more than $212 million worth of work is being done to the line over the next four years.
The rehabilitation program would encompass work throughout the Red Line from the Shady Grove to Glenmont Metrorail stations
“This substantial investment and the work taking place on the Red Line represents Metro’s commitment to improve safety and service reliability for our customers who depend upon us every day,” said Richard Sarles, Metro General Manager.
Currently under the Red Line contract, personnel are repairing the crumbling platforms at the Rockville Metrorail station and making station improvements between the Judiciary Square and Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood Metrorail stations, which includes rehabilitating 11 escalators at the Union Station and Judiciary Square Metrorail stations. At the end of the month, personnel will be preparing to enhance the Foggy Bottom-GWU Metrorail station entrance which will feature the installation of three new escalators, a staircase and a canopy over the station entrance.
Under the options approved today to the Red Line contract, Metro will make the following improvements:
Safety Enhancements
• Upgrade closed circuit cameras at the Dupont Circle, Farragut North, Metro Center, Gallery Place-Chinatown, Brookland-CUA, Fort Totten, Takoma and Silver Spring Metrorail stations to enhance safety.
• Replace 11,000 feet of tunnel safety lights to enhance customer and employee safety.
• Replace three tunnel ventilation and exhaust fans used in the event of a smoke incident in a rail station or tunnel.
• Replace 35,000 feet of fencing along Metro’s tracks on the above-ground portion of the rail system.
• At 100 locations, upgrade emergency call boxes to enhance employee safety.
Customer Experience
• Replace leaking canopy roofs and skylights at four stations.
• Renovate eight station restrooms for customers and employees.
• Repair platform shelters at eight stations.
• Upgrade public address system at four stations.
• Convert the platform at the Dupont Circle Metrorail station to be ADA compliant by installing bumpy tiles at the platform edge to improve the transit experience for sight impaired riders.
Infrastructure Upgrades
• At 49 locations, upgrade automatic train control system and ventilation and air conditioning controls in the train control rooms.
• Repair 6,540 feet of tunnels including water leaks and cracks.
• Replace 41,000 feet of third rail expansion joints and power cables to ensure continued power of trains.
• Replace flooring where worn at select stations.
• Replace platform shelter glass at above-ground platforms.
News release issued at 3:31 pm, November 18, 2010.