Metro officials are warning riders that speed restrictions on outbound trains will remain in place around the Rhode Island Avenue Metro station, which could cause delays of one to four minutes.
The temporary measure is designed to minimize the stress to the station’s aerial structure. It was put into place after two incidents last week in which debris fell from the ceiling of the mezzanine level. Officials closed the station last Wednesday evening after a metal bracket fell and again last Thursday when more debris came loose in an area about 40-feet from where the bracket fellWednesday. The station reopened at noon Sunday after crews completed repairs and conducted additional inspections.
At a Friday news conference, Metro Chief Operating Officer Joseph Leader said the crumbling concrete appeared to be superficial and not critical to the infrastructure of the station. Rhode Island Avenue station is the oldest above-ground Metro station with a raised platform. As a precaution, safety netting also was installed across the entire length of the station.
Metro officials said during inspections over the weekend, consultants found “degraded concrete” on the outbound track of the station’s aerial structure. While the consultants concluded that the structure is safe for trains, officials think speed restrictions will help reduce stress on the structure and “lessen the rate of deterioration until permanent repairs can be made.” Those repairs likely will be made during Safe Track Surge #10, which involves a 23-day shutdown between Fort Totten and NoMa-Gallaudet beginning Oct. 10.
The speed restrictions on outbound trains are expected to remain in place for several weeks after the permanent repairs are made to allow the concrete to cure.
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