Speed restrictions on Metro’s Blue and Yellow lines expected to last a week

Speed restrictions will slow travel on a portion of the Blue and Yellow Lines for at least a week, Metro said Monday evening. Deteriorated rail ties forced the agency to limit train speeds in two areas near recent SafeTrack repairs, but outside the official workzone, the transit agency said.

Blue Line trains are limited to 15 mph between Franconia-Springfield and Van Dorn Street, and both Blue and Yellow Line trains are subject to the same speed restriction between King Street and Braddock Road. The restrictions will be be in place for seven to 10 days, Metro spokeswoman Sherri Ly said.

Metro’s eighth SafeTrack surge involved single-tracking between Franconia and Van Dorn, and three consecutive weekend shutdowns stretching from Franconia as far as King Street, but the “tie condition” is not in the zone targeted by the repairs, Metro spokesman Dan Stessel said earlier in the day.

Rail ties are long wooden beams that secure the running rails on outdoor portions of track. Rotten ties were cited as a factor in the July 29 derailment of a Silver Line train near East Falls Church.

Blue Line: Delays in both directions due to speed restrictions btwn Franconia & Van Dorn Street.

— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) September 12, 2016

Blue/Yellow Line: Delays in both directions due to speed restrictions btwn King Street & Braddock Road.

— Metrorail Info (@Metrorailinfo) September 12, 2016

Metro has previously had switch and fastener issues in areas targeted by SafeTrack surges. In some cases, Metro said, the problems resulted from rebuilt tracks going through a “break-in” period.

Federal reports last week revealed a number of concerns with the way SafeTrack repairs were being handled, saying workers had overlooked potential safety risks and failed to coordinate on needed fixes. Also this summer, Metro has taken tracks out of service multiple times due to loose fasteners in areas targeted — but not necessarily covered — by surges.