By Lena H. Sun
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, May 9, 2008; B01

Metro General Manager John B. Catoe Jr. told board members yesterday that the agency wants to delay $109 million in planned upgrades and use the money to help pay for $157 million in projects urgently needed by the aging transit system in the next two years.

The projects include repairs to deteriorating station platforms, replacement of worn track fasteners to help prevent fires, and upgrades to several key computer systems that are functioning poorly, officials said.

In March, Catoe identified $489 million in unfunded capital repairs that he said were needed in the next six years to ensure safe and reliable train, bus and paratransit operations. Board members then asked Catoe to look at already funded capital projects to determine whether some could be delayed and the money used instead for critical repairs.

In a presentation to the board's finance committee yesterday, Catoe had a partial answer. He identified $109 million in the previously planned rehabilitation of elevators, escalators and parking lots, and recommended that the work be delayed or slowed so funds could be used for more critical repairs. He also recommended that the board authorize Metro to borrow the remaining $48 million.

When the projects recommended for delay were first planned, the schedule for completion was not realistic and would have meant, for example, taking many more escalators out of service at one time for overhaul, inconveniencing many riders, he said.

Discussions about how Metro would pay for ongoing capital needs are being followed by the Federal Transit Administration. FTA officials have said Metro's ability to secure pledges from local jurisdictions to pay for the projects will be a key factor in winning final approval for FTA funding for the 23-mile Dulles rail extension.

Federal officials are not demanding the entire $489 million, but they want to see a commitment from Metro's partners on how to pay for those unfunded needs through the agency's long-term capital-improvement plan. In particular, officials want a funding pledge for next fiscal year, which begins in July.

How much will be funded in next year's capital budget will be determined in the coming weeks as agency officials meet with staff from jurisdictions served by Metro. The amount, which Catoe has recommended as about $69 million, must be decided by the board before it votes in June to approve next year's budget.

Catoe's proposal only addresses how Metro would pay for a portion of the total repairs. As additional $332 million is needed over the next six years for continued track and power upgrades to run more eight-car trains, station ceiling repairs and repaving of several parking lots, among other items.

"We need to know: what's the new money I've got to look for," said Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman, who represents Arlington County.

Board member Peter Benjamin said Metro and its funding partners would be able to meet the challenge. "For the last 30 years, the jurisdictions have always funded all of Metro's operating needs and its critical capital needs and all of us will come up with this," he said.

Capital projects are paid for mainly by state and local governments that are served by Metro. Many of those jurisdictions are also facing budget shortfalls.

Many of Metro's needs could be met with legislation introduced in Congress to provide $1.5 billion in federal funding over 10 years, on the condition that the District, Maryland and Virginia match the amount.

All three jurisdictions have pledged to do so, but the legislation is being blocked by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), who objects because he considers the funding to be an earmark.

In July, Catoe will present a 10-year plan to board members that will address how Metro hopes to fund the remaining $332 million in urgent capital repairs, and also lay out other infrastructure projects needed to accommodate future ridership growth.