More than 21,000 straight feet of fiber optic cable run between the two tracks of the Green Line, and Metro said the work could only be completed while trains were not running. Transportation officials say the cable will strengthen the metro’s communications system and also allow the metro to upgrade its train control system in the future.
Workers also replaced 8,000 feet of rail, 900 rail fasteners and 1,250 wooden sleepers while resurfacing 20,000 feet of track. Traffic authorities say the changes will allow for smoother driving. The crew also removed weeds, bushes and other vegetation along the tracks to improve line of sight for drivers, Metro said.
“We are proud of the significant infrastructure improvements we made this summer that will benefit our customers with more reliable and timely service for years to come,” said Metro. ‘s infrastructure division head Andy Off said in a statement, adding that the project is also important. Completed within budget.
The work is part of a broader summer infrastructure improvement effort that began in May, including laying 112 miles of cable on the Orange, Green and Silver lines and replacing 40-year-old rails laid 40 years ago. was Metro said it also completed several station upgrades, including replacing more than 20,000 square feet of new roofs and waterproofing canopies at Minnesota Avenue, Deanwood, and Cheveley stations.
Miles of fiber optic cable help with real-time communications, high-quality surveillance video, and train automation. Metro will switch to a fully automated train system this year. After his fatal accident in 2009, Metrorail operated with automation until control of the train was handed over to the driver, despite multiple studies showing that automation did not contribute to the accident. was