Amtrak and also Metro Officials down there on the tracks found some cables that they thought were enough of a problem that they had to replace them today. We dont know the exact amount. Were hoping to get that answer at 5 30, but the fact that the cables were replaced, one Metro Official said that the shutdown today was worthwhile. And also, adam, yesterday they were talking about the smoky fire incident on monday at Mcpherson Square and then that awful episode where it got smoky at Lenfant Plaza last year and ended with the death of a woman. Are they connected to this . Reporter eerily similar is what i was told today, wendy. If you look at the things, on monday the episode at Mcpherson Square is really what led to all of this. General manager Paul Wiedefeld went down onto the tracks, took a look at what he saw down there with those jumper cables, and one Metro Official told me that if that incident on monday at Mcpherson Square had happened just a few hours later at the heart of the
General manager. Before i begin, i want to say again that i know today presented a hardship to the region and i thank everyone for their support as we worked through this. Let me tell you that the shutdown today was necessary. Since we began at midnight, metro teams have identified 26 areas where damaged jumper cables and connector boots exist. The inspection is nearing completion but i would anticipate this number to grow slightly even higher. Let me just share with you what we did while the system was closed at midnight last night. We segmented the system into 22 underground inspection zones where 600 jumper cables are located. This includes all areas of all lines. Each of the 22 zones were inspected by teams that were looking for defects in jumper cables, connecting boots that were damaged or improperly positions and debris that could burn near the teams are covering approximately 100 miles of tunnels supported by 14 prime movers for supplies and materials. The behind those teams we
Metro says its been a worthwhile process. Meanwhile, on capitol hill u. S. Transportation secretary anthony foxx weighing in on the situation blaming local leaders for whats become of metros safety culture. I dont think its just resources. I think it is culture and i think it is a deliberate decision that is needed on the part of everyone involved in this to focus relentlessly on safety. Reporter one Metro Official with direct knowledge says mondays electrical cable meltdown at Mcpherson Square was eerily similar to the deadly Lenfant Plaza smoke incident last year. In fact, this official says of mondays smoke episode that if it happened later on during the height of morning rush, just a few hours later, it could have been another deadly incident. Metros also called in electrical engineers from other Commuter Rail systems and amtrak to help with their cable inspection effort. Again, we are expecting an update from Metro Officials at 6 00, about an hour from now, for whats going to happ
Metro rail has taken plenty of heat recently over safety problems. The new ceo says that the risk here is relatively low. But he is not going to take any more chances that employees and passengers could be killed. Live at metro headquarters, bruce leshan, wusa 9. All right, bruce. Thank you. And we want to give our folks at home, 16th street, near the walter reed facility, where you can see, traffic is pretty backed up right now. It was a miserable morning commute. And also, a miserable afternoon commute for a lot of folks. Again, metro was to update us at 6 00 p. M. On whether, in fact, metro will open at 5 00 a. M. Tomorrow. Well bring that to you tomorrow, when we get it. By bus, by foot, by bicycle, people managing without the rail system throughout the day. Wusa 9 surae chinn joining us live. Are they packed in surae . Reporter well, we are here on the s. H. Bus here, at langley park in Prince Georges County. And i will say that it is not so crowded. Not too bad right now. But peo
Something then have a crash. A commuter conundrum for some and others are not phased as we are in the middle of a 29 our metrorail shutdown so inspectors can check the electrical cables after several underground fires. Thank you for joining us for the news at noon. Im mike hydeck. Im andrea roane. We have a team of reporters to show how commuters fear this morning. Lets go to larry miller, who looks at traffic conditions. Is it all clear . For the most part, it is all clear. We ask commuters to make sure you allow additional time to get out the door if you go this afternoon. Metro bus reports 30 minutes delays on buses associated with earlier congestion. Alternates of several buses are available this afternoon and dc taxi, uber and lyft have ridesharing. I will tell you more on that. Current conditions, problem free in the beltway with over the wilson bridge. That is all cleared, especially on 395, slow southbound to the capital beltway. We are in good shape with folks taking to twitte