Metro News Release
For immediate release: October 6, 2014
Metro welcomes its 15th and 16th new escalators
The Metrorail system is welcoming its two new escalators -- the 15th and 16th new units to be installed under the Metro Forward rebuilding program -- between the mezzanine and platform levels at Bethesda Station.
To date, new escalators have been installed at Foggy Bottom (3 new units), Dupont Circle (3), Pentagon (3), Van Ness (2), Georgia Ave-Petworth (2), Glenmont (1) and Bethesda (2).
Currently, escalator installation projects are underway at the following locations:
- Bethesda (3)
- Columbia Heights (2)
- Friendship Heights (2)
- Georgia Ave (1)
- Glenmont (1)
In addition, installation of new escalators at Metro Center's 12th and G entrance will begin next week.
The new escalators are part of Metro's plan to replace more than 130 of the system's 613 escalators over the next few years to improve reliability.
The number of working escalators -- measured as "escalator availability" -- is the highest its been in five years, as result of new escalator installations, modernization of existing escalators and improved preventive maintenance.
News release issued at 1:03 pm, October 6, 2014.