Metro News Release

For immediate release: December 7, 2011

Installing New Track Switches For Dulles - In Two Minutes

Ever wonder what happens when Metro shuts down a portion of your rail line on a weekend?  Watch this video.

During an Orange Line weekend shutdown in September, contractors installed new crossover switches outside of West Falls Church in preparation for the Silver Line to Dulles. This time lapse shows the work in two minutes... from removal of the existing cross-section of track, clearing land, dumping the new ballast, and installing each new piece of the switch sections. You'll notice the use of concrete ties on this portion of the new Silver Line... because this is a newly built portion of rail. 

News release issued at 3:58 pm, December 7, 2011.