Metro is giving the Blue and Orange lines a major overhaul.
The Metro Board's Planning, Development and Real Estate committee gave preliminary approval to Metro's second infrastructure and rehabilitation program Thursday. The $380 million project will cover 24 miles of track and 20 stations from Stadium-Armory to Reagan National Airport.
"This type of work is vital to maintaining the rail system and keeping the system operating as safely as possible," Metro General Manager John Catoe said.
Metro said the work includes upgrading traction power, automatic train control and communications; replacing tunnel lights, rehabilitating tunnel ventilation and fire stand pipes; upgrading the public address and closed circuit video camera system; replacing and rehabilitating air conditioning and ventilation equipment; changing out lighting; and rehabilitating elevators and escalators.
The Metro Board will vote on initiating a contract on the Blue/Orange project later this month and expects to award a contract next summer.
The first maintenance program -- between the Dupont Circle and Silver Spring stations on the Red Line -- begins early in 2010.
