WMATA gears up for rail improvement projects

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) earlier this week announced four capital improvement projects on its rail system.

To minimize service disruption, the work has been scheduled during the second half of the year when ridership is lighter, WMATA officials said in a press release. One project will address the Metrorail system's tightest curve between McPherson Square and Smithsonian stations.

During that project, crews will work around the clock to rebuild the track infrastructure, which includes the installation of new rail and fasteners. Workers also will repair the concrete pads that support the rails. The work is scheduled for Aug. 11-26.

Another project involves structural repairs and rail infrastructure improvements on the Yellow Line bridge over the Potomac River. That project, which will begin in November, also calls for grout pad reconstruction and fastener replacement along the bridge.

In addition, WMATA will make structural repairs on the Rhode Island Avenue Station, which is the agency's oldest outdoor station. WMATA also plans to upgrade several switches outside Reagan National Airport and install new concrete pads beneath the rails on an aerial structure at the airport station.

During fiscal-year 2018, the agency will spend a record $1.25 billion on projects aimed at improving safety and reliability. For FY2019, WMATA has proposed $1.3 billion in capital investments, including continued delivery of 7000-series rail cars and additional track maintenance.