The Takoma Metrorail Station reopened to customers at the start of rail service Friday morning, two days ahead of schedule.
Crews successfully rebuilt an interlocking, an area between Fort Totten and Takoma where trains can switch tracks, providing a smoother ride for customers. The switch area had long-standing drainage issues, so the team removed the existing track, fixed the problem, rebuilt the track bed, and replaced the ballast and ties that hold the track in place.
Before (May 31)
During construction (June 3)
Near end of construction (June 16)
Metro’s new in-house aerial drone program captured images of the construction and completion of the project. The Takoma Station has also been upgraded with brighter, more efficient platform edge lighting, new communication cabling, new rail ties for a smoother ride, and the removal of overgrown vegetation along the track area. The station was also refreshed with new signage, paint, and sidewalk repairs for a better customer experience.
New easier-to-read digital Passenger Information Displays that show real-time train arrival and other service information are also in progress. The Red Line from Glenmont to Takoma will still be under construction through Aug. 31 due to the Maryland Transit Administration building the Purple Line light rail connection to the Red Line at Silver Spring and other Metro track work. Shuttle buses replace train service. Shuttles will still serve Takoma for customers who need to access the station from the north.
For more information on the construction work visit WMATA.com/majorconstruction.
Fort Totten escalator work expedited
Metro also completed replacing a bank of escalators between the Fort Totten station entrance mezzanine and the Red Line platform. The escalators were scheduled for rehabilitation, but after examination, crews decided a full replacement was needed. Metro completed the work six weeks ahead of schedule to relieve congestion within the station.