WMATA, like Montgomery County MD and the Silver Spring Transit Center, has problems of its own--abysmal safety and operations records (among other thing$) that speak for themselves.
Two years ago when WMATA's engineers were telling Montgomery County's council that the Silver Spring Transit Center's extensive concrete cracking will result in long term maintenance and operational problems, and high costs, Richard Sarles, WMATA's former general manager, was telling Roger Berliner and other MoCo council members not to worry--that WMATA will honor their "deal" to operate the transit center. What else would you expect from one politician dealing with other politicians?
The executive summary of a May 2, 2013 evaluation report for the Silver Spring Transit Center, commissioned by WMATA, www.montgomerycountymd.gov/DGS-BDC/Resources/Files/SS/509974/WMATA-Report-on-Transit-Center-5-2-13.pdf, states:
"The evaluation indicated that significant design and construction deficiencies have resulted in a structure that will be unable to achieve the 50 year design service life specified in WMATA design requirements without significant repairs and a long-term maintenance program to address durability problems.
The evaluation indicated that the overall design of the SSTC was deficient due to the restrained nature of the structure and the inability of the structure to accommodate normal thermal movements. The restrained nature of the as-designed structure was a significant factor in the observed cracking at the structure. (NOTE: None of the "repairs" made to the SSTC during the past two years addresses this deficiency. The SSTC remains restrained and unable to accommodate normal thermal movements. Also, "repairs" made to date to the unopened SSTC do not address cracks in columns and girders.)
"Significant construction deficiencies were also observed in the evaluation. The construction deficiencies include omission of post-tensioning tendons in the pour strips on Level 330, thin concrete slabs, extensive cracking on the elevated slab surfaces as a result of restrained shrinkage and finishing problems, exposed and low concrete cover to post-tensioning ducts at numerous locations, and low entrained air content in the top surface of elevated slabs.
The life cycle costs for repair and maintenance of the SSTC structure will be significantly increased as a result of the design and construction defects."
So, there you have it--it should be interesting.
Will WMATA's engineers prevail, or will politics prevail?
I wouldn't bet on WMATA's engineers.
Silver Spring Transit Center
Paul S. Sarbanes Transit Center
Montgomery County MD
WMATA
public-private partnership
Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)
Purple Line
Gov. Hogan
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