Metro News Release
For immediate release: February 23, 2015
Weekend at work: First new entrance escalator delivered at Bethesda Station
Following weekend closure, first entrance escalator replacement now more than 60% complete
Despite the inclement weather, all major components of the first new entrance escalator at Bethesda Station were successfully delivered and installed this weekend, advancing the project to nearly two-thirds of the way complete.
Working in four 12-hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday, crews used gantries to move and position large sections of escalator truss that were delivered to Bethesda by flatbed trucks. The crews then aligned and mechanically fastened the sections and positioned the unit's two motors, each the size of a small car.
In the coming weeks, crews will install the new escalator's steps, handrails and lighting, and connect the motors.
In order to allow construction crews to safely move and install the escalator truss sections, Bethesda Station was temporarily closed this weekend. Free shuttle buses ran between Bethesda and Medical Center.
Part of a $151 million investment to fully replace up to 128 escalators by 2020, this project at Bethesda will replace the three entrance escalators, which are more than 30 years old and have exceeded their useful life, with brand new escalators that are more durable, reliable and feature brighter LED lighting to improve customer visibility.
Bethesda’s entrance escalators are the second longest in the Western Hemisphere. With a rise of 106 feet, the entrance escalators at Bethesda are 212 feet long and require approximately 42 weeks for site preparation, demolition, construction, installation and testing per escalator.
The Bethesda entrance project began in October, with the first four months spent carefully demolishing and removing the first original escalator and then preparing the site for the new unit. The new escalator is expected to enter service this summer, at which time Metro will move to replace the second of three entrance escalators.
Metro has already installed new escalators at Foggy Bottom, Dupont Circle, Pentagon, Van Ness, Georgia Ave-Petworth, Glenmont, Columbia Heights, Friendship Heights, Mt. Vernon Square and between the mezzanine and platform levels at Bethesda.
News release issued at 12:59 pm, February 23, 2015.