WMATA Platform Reconstruction Overview and Construction Update
What goes into rebuilding a station platform?
Alexandria, Va – Before a new platform can appear under your feet, sections of the deteriorated platforms require extensive repair work and partial demolition. The first step for the construction team is installing temporary shoring under the existing platform edges to provide support during demolition and subsequent work. Eight-foot sections of the existing platform edge are then cut and lifted onto flatcars to be moved out of the construction area. Once at a safe distance, large cranes lift out sections using steel cable lifting slings. The pieces are then loaded onto trucks and hauled away.
While cutting and edge demolition work is taking place, the construction crew removes existing platform paver tile. This process entails a combination of robotic jackhammers (called “Brokks”) and hand-held jackhammers to chip away the existing paver tile.
After the platform edges are cut and removed, new rebar is inserted into freshly exposed edges along the entire 600-foot platform. The crew then installs final formwork necessary to pour concrete for the new permanent edges. After the concrete cures, the final phases of platform repair work begin, which include laying the new granite platform edge, pouring a new paver tile setting bed, and installing new platform tiles.
With the platform reconstruction completed, crews will begin the process of installing new pylons, signs, windscreens, canopies, and other platform features.
Construction update (June 13, 2019)
- At Braddock Rd Station, demolition on both the inbound and outbound platforms has been completed. With new formwork and rebar in place, concrete pours are underway. Additionally, all skylight glass has been removed and crews are preparing for the installation of new skylights. Work has begun to fix the platform “hump” as the construction team continues to erect large shoring towers and a jacking system that will temporarily support the 1.6-million-pound platform beam.
- At King St-Old Town, work on the inbound and outbound platform edges is being conducted simultaneously, with the demolition of the platform edges and paver tiles now completed. The first concrete pours are occurring this week. Existing skylight glass has been removed and crews are getting ready for the installation of new skylights.
- At Huntington Station, crews have finished clearing and begun preparing access for drilled foundations for a new station entrance from the middle parking garage. The platform edges are being sawcut, and removals have begun. The remaining edge slabs will be removed once critical track repairs are completed outside Huntington Station.
- At Eisenhower Ave Station, the first concrete pour occurred last week on the outbound platform and work on that side continues. The team will begin demolition work on the inbound side next.
- At Van Dorn St, crews have removed all paver tile and removed all granite from both platform edges. Three concrete pours have been completed on one side of the platform.
- At Franconia-Springfield, crews have sawcut the platform edge and removals have been completed. Rebar installation has begun, and the first concrete pour is expected at the end of this week. Crews have also begun paver tile demolition.
In addition to platform reconstruction work, Metro is taking advantage of the station closures to conduct other major infrastructure renewal work, such as replacing tracks and the train crossover outside Huntington Station. Additional details on the various other activities underway this summer will be featured in a future project update. To make sure you receive the latest project updates, follow WMATA on Twitter and Facebook or check back at wmata.com/platformsprogress.
