WASHINGTON — Metro did not complete all power system improvements that were planned during the first round of accelerated track work in Virginia this month.
Despite that, crews accomplished more repairs than were planned on the tracks themselves plus the automatic train control system in the area between the Ballston and East Falls Church stations, according to a Metro report.
Metro’s final report on the work zone that ended June 16 finds that the single track that was the focus of the work “was brought into a state of good repair.” However, the report notes that about 20 percent of the work planned specifically on the troubled traction power system has been deferred.
Metro said in the report that crews replaced 1,800 crossties under the rails, worked on 540 insulators and repaired 30 power cables and 24 expansion cables. Overall, crews surpassed minimum goals in areas other than the power system, the report said.
The additional work included fixing or replacing about 500 extra fasteners that hold the rails in place and replacing about 70 extra “intrusion detection warning systems,” which identify when someone or something might have come over or through the fence between Interstate 66 and the electrified tracks.
Metro said two junction boxes still must be inspected and repaired when crews return to the stretch of track in late July. Metro plans to end all of the scheduled work zones as scheduled. Any leftover work will be taken care of at night, on weekends or between rush hours.
Through July 3, Metro is working on the tracks between Eastern Market and Benning Road and Minnesota Ave. From July 5 to 18, the work will shift to the Blue and Yellow lines near Reagan National Airport.
