WASHINGTON — Major problems are slowing the first phase of construction of the Silver Line to the point that Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board members can no longer estimate when the subway line will be completed.
During a Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority board meeting, the head of the project told board members he has no confidence in the communications system installed on the new subway line, NBC4 reports.
The contractor installed the wrong speakers along 11 miles of the rail, and the wrong cables were used. The speakers were not UL-listed, as required by the fire code, NBC4 reports.
Not to mention, basically the entire Automatic Train Control system on Silver Line now has to be replaced – whole new contract has to go out
— Adam Tuss (@AdamTuss) March 19, 2014
MWAA Boardmemer Tom Davis calls the Silver Line problems a “soap opera,” NBC4’s Adam Tuss reports.
The 23-mile Silver Line will run through Tysons Corner to Wiehle Avenue in Fairfax County. The long-term plan would be for the rail line to continue from Wiehle Avenue in Fairfax County to Washington Dulles International Airport and on to Route 772 in Loudoun County.
Board members say they’re getting a legal team in place in case the contractor misses another deadline.
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