WMATA L-Line Steel Tunnel Liner Rehabilitation and Bridge Structure Repairs

Washington, D.C.

Kiewit led this critical project to update the subway infrastructure along the Yellow Line from East Potomac Park to L’Enfant Plaza in Washington, D.C. Rehabilitation work occurred in steel-lined and concrete portions of two parallel tunnels—inbound and outbound. The scope included tunnel leak mitigation grouting, repairing tunnel steel liner and steel-to-concrete interfaces, abrasive blasting and painting the tunnel interior, installing new and relocated utilities, communication, lighting and emergency services, installing a tunnel liner cathodic protection system, new traction power third rail, installing new vent shaft fans, repairing tunnel and portal concrete cracks and replacing the fire standpipe in the tunnel.

Bridge work over the Potomac River included upgrading and jacking 88 bearings during an outage, replacing expansion joints, repainting bearings and deck spalls, working from the river, obtaining permits and installing a fire suppression system on the 3,000-foot bridge.

Kiewit successfully delivered the project on time and within budget through the development, planning and execution of 17 specific construction phases over an eight-month shutdown period. Each phase addressed the unique logistical, access and operational challenges of the work scope to maintain schedule and cost certainty. This project restored the structural integrity of the tunnel and bridge, extending their useful life by an additional 50 years.