[Nfbv-potomac-announce] FW: Metro Accessibility Update - 5/20/16

Sat May 21 13:10:24 UTC 2016

Good Morning,

FYI.

John

-----Original Message-----
From: BrianMiller [mailto:brianrmiller88 at gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2016 5:27 PM
To: Halverson John
Cc: Beverly Coney
Subject: FW: Metro Accessibility Update - 5/20/16

Hi John,

I thought the below announcement from Metro would be of significant interest
to our chapter members. If you feel it appropriate, please feel free to
share it. 

Brian M

From: Blake, Christiaan P. [mailto:cblake at wmata.com] 
Sent: Friday, May 20, 2016 4:40 PM
To: access
Subject: Metro Accessibility Update - 5/20/16

Accessibility Update

The Best Ride in the Nation

May 20, 2016

Metro GM releases final 'SafeTrack' Maintenance Plan beginning June 4th

Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld today publicly released the 

final SafeTrack plan
<http://www.wmata.com/Images/Mrel/MF_Uploads/SafeTrack_Public.pdf?>  -- a
comprehensive maintenance effort that will accelerate three years worth of
work into approximately one year. 

The plan significantly expands maintenance time on weekends, weeknights and
midday hours and includes 15 "Safety Surges"-- long-duration track outages
for major projects in key parts of the system. The plan addresses Federal
Transit Administration (FTA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
safety recommendations and deferred maintenance backlogs while restoring
track infrastructure to good health.

In addition to the Safety Surge projects, SafeTrack also includes closing
the Metrorail system at midnight every night beginning June 3
<http://wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=6104>
(rather than at 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights) and expanding weekday
maintenance opportunities by starting selected work at 8 p.m., rather than
10 p.m.

Each of the 15 Surge projects will result in either around-the-clock single
tracking or shutdowns of selected track segments and will have a significant
impact on rush-hour commutes. Many of the Surges will severely reduce the
frequency of trains, resulting in crowding and extended wait times. When a
Surge is underway on a particular line, Metro riders who have the ability to
do so may be asked to use alternate travel options and avoid Metro until the
project is complete.

The first Surge project will begin on Saturday, June 4, and involves
continuous single tracking between East Falls Church and Ballston-MU
stations through June 16 while miles of deteriorated wooden rail ties are
removed, the substructure of the railroad is rebuilt and new ties,
fasteners, ballast and other infrastructure is installed. The duration of
this project is 13 days and will result in reduced service at all Orange and
Silver line stations, especially those stations west of Ballston where
trains will only run every 18 minutes. Due to reduced capacity and expected
longer travel times, Orange and Silver line customers are strongly
encouraged to consider alternative travel options and avoid traveling during
rush-hour periods.

For the first Safety Surge, Metrorail customers are advised of the following
service information between June 4-16:

.        Orange Line trains will run every 18 minutes at stations between
Vienna and Ballston-MU

.        Silver Line trains will run every 18 minutes at all times

.        Additional Orange Line trains will run between Ballston and New
Carrollton; however, trains will still be less frequent than normal

.        Expect significant crowding on Orange and Silver line trains

.        Blue, Yellow, Green and Red line service will operate normally
during rush hours during Safety Surge 1.

You can view a quick video about the first Surge project here
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oDoOtHF6ok> . The complete schedule of
Safety Surges is available on WMATA's website
<http://www.wmata.com/Images/Mrel/MF_Uploads/surgesched.pdf?> .

For more information about the SafePlan Maintenance Plan and how it may
impact you and your organization, please read the complete press release and
view the SafeTrack plan
<http://www.wmata.com/about_metro/news/PressReleaseDetail.cfm?ReleaseID=6105
> .

We know that this track work will impact you and your organization, and we
want you to be as prepared as possible. Please forward this information
along to others who may be affected in your organization so that they may
plan appropriately. Updated information will continue to be posted on
Metro's website (wmata.com <http://www.WMATA.com> ). 

Upcoming Accessibility Advisory Committee Meetings

Accessibility Advisory Committee - Full Committee Meeting

June 6, 2016; 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Accessibility Advisory Committee - Bus & Rail Subcommittee Meeting

June 13, 2016; 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Accessibility Advisory Committee - MetroAccess Subcommittee Meeting

June 20, 2016; 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

All meetings will be held at Metro's Headquarters  Building

600 Fifth Street, NW

Washington DC 20001

All Accessibility Advisory Committee and Subcommittee meetings are streamed
live via www.spreaker.com <http://www.spreaker.com> ; type Access Services
in the search box. Smartphone users can download the free Spreaker app and
listen live on the go. Type Access Services in the search box. Please
contact our office at 202-962-1100 with any difficulties accessing the audio
to any of the AAC meetings.

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