Track alignment in progress and other Orange Line station construction updates

In addition to the work being done on the platforms, Metro crews have spent each weekend since early July working between the platforms to realign the rail tracks at the East Falls Church, West Falls Church, Dunn Loring and Vienna stations.

When rebuilding the platforms at these stations, crews are constructing each one according to the same specifications as the original design. As you might imagine, rail tracks have shifted and moved throughout each station’s 30+ year lifespan. Now, the tracks — which are set in ballast gravel — need to be adjusted both vertically and horizontally to ensure they align correctly with the new platform’s edge. In addition to helping trains stop in the correct spot, this work is crucial to making the platforms accessible and compliant with Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements.

Track alignment work at East Falls Church and West Falls Church

Crews work to align the tracks with the newly constructed platform edges at East Falls Church (left) and West Falls Church (right).

Once track adjustments are complete, the Metro operations team will deploy their specially designed track geometry vehicle (TGV) to test and inspect rail alignment. Metro’s TGV is equipped with an array of sensors that test the curvature and safety parameters of the renovated tracks.

The track work and platform work have to be closely coordinated. So, while Metro crews have been working to make sure the tracks are in the right place, the construction teams have also been making progress at the stations. Here’s a look at some of the work that’s been taking place at the Orange Line stations – as well as some beautiful sky and cloud formations – from the past two weeks.

Vienna

At Vienna, mezzanine tile is a little more than halfway complete and platform tile installation is substantially complete. New stainless-steel shelters have also been installed on the platform as well as cameras and speakers. Roofing over the station’s lower level is completed, and crews have started installing the station’s upper level and pedestrian bridge roofs.

Skylight framing along the station’s roof (left). New tile installed in the mezzanine (right).

Dunn Loring

At Dunn Loring, wiring for communications systems and lights along the platform edges have been installed and tested, and crews have started putting wiring in place for the globe lights on the platforms. They continue to work on the skylights, including putting the finishing details on the lower skylight, and installing roofing on the station’s upper canopy and pedestrian bridge.

View looking down the platform with new tile, pylons and shelters visible (left). Installing new roofing (right).

West Falls Church

At West Falls Church, crews have finished grouting the platform tile and installed the bumpy tile along the platform edges. Additionally, they have placed granite benches in the platform shelters and granite around the bases of the pylons. Fire alarms have been installed throughout the station, and light fixture installation is underway on the platform level and throughout the mezzanine.

West Falls Church - New granite edges, bumpy tile and slip-resistant tile have been installed on the platform (left). Close-up view of new granite edges with edge lights (right).

New granite edges, bumpy tile and slip-resistant tile have been installed on the platform (left). Close-up view of new granite edges with edge lights (right).

East Falls Church

At East Falls Church, skylight glass installation is almost complete. On the platform, crews have set the granite benches inside the platform shelters and finished the installation of the edge lights. Crews have also finished fire alarm installation throughout the station.

Installing new tile in the mezzanine (left). Installing lenses over the edge lights (right).

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