WMATA to replace Red Line interlocking

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) later this month will begin replacing a mainline interlocking on the Red Line.

To complete the work, WMATA will suspend service between the Silver Spring and Fort Totten stations from Nov. 25 through Dec. 10.

Tracks in both directions need to be taken out of service simultaneously to allow crews to rebuild the interlocking, upgrade signals, replace rail ties and install more than 800 feet of new rail. The work also includes the installation of new power cables, grout pad replacement, leak mitigation measures and additional preventive maintenance, WMATA officials said in a press release.

From Dec. 2 through Dec. 3, the agency will extend the work zone to the Red Line station in Glenmount, Maryland, so that crews can install radio communication cables and perform maintenance work.

The interlocking replacement marks the second of three trackwork projects planned during WMATA's fiscal-year 2018.  All three projects are part of WMATA's new preventive maintenance program that began in summer.