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Metro workers dodge Yellow Line train in latest close call

By Max Smith

WASHINGTON — Three workers got out of the way of an oncoming Metro train Thursday in the latest Metro worker safety incident.

The workers were assigned to a capital improvement project near the Eisenhower Ave. station, when they saw a train coming into their work area around noon Thursday, Metro spokeswoman Sherri Ly said.

The three were able to get out of the way and were not hurt.

Metro is investigating and has notified the Federal Transit Administration, she said.

The rail controller responsible for train traffic in the area and other workers involved have been pulled off the job and are being interviewed as part of the investigation.

Just last month, the FTA ordered immediate safety changes for workers on the tracks after at least four other incidents this year where trains ran the risk of running over workers.

Metro submitted a response to that FTA letter a few days later that promised improvements.

Last fall, federal safety inspectors had to dive out of the way of an oncoming train.

Audit: Metro put millions of federal dollars at risk in failed Buy America program

By Max Smith
WASHINGTON — Oversight and contracting failures at Metro risked an immediate loss of millions in federal funding, a new audit report from Metro’s Office of Inspector General found. The audit of Metro’s Buy America contract award and oversight process found $68 million in bus, paratransit or rail car vehicle and parts purchases did not meet federal contracting requirements, and $517 million of the $1.4 billion in contracts reviewed did not follow the Federal Transit Administration’s nonbinding suggested best practices.
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