"Earth Tunnels" | Building Metrorail

From our video vault, this gem takes a look back at the original construction of Metro's tunnels, from the engineering process to the equipment. This is the story of what it took to build Metro under Downtown DC.

[@penguinsfly2]

In may of 71 I was sent to DC to assemble the "cookie cutter" tunnel machine at 15th and G. In 1972 I, along with Page and Frank welded this tunnel machine together at Va. Ave and rock creek park, by the Watergate. I am the guy on top of the machine with the red mustache , smokeing and hooking up the cables,

[@teadidthis]

That's cool.

[@georgettewolf6743]

I used to live near the Foggy Bottom Metro station in the 1970s (before the area was horribly gentrified). I remember looking through the timbers covering the street for a “cut and cover” operation and seeing railroad track with wooden ties far below. Until I saw this video, I didn’t realize why I wasn’t seeing the cement-mounted tracks the trains currently run on in the tunnels.

[@travelsofmunch1476]

I live 2 blocks from the Foggy Bottom-GWU metro station. Can confirm, gentrified beyond recognition

[@CRFProductions2023]

Beneath 13th and G Street - they were constructing Metro Center Station... over half of G Street underground was used for that project.

[@JoseCruz-kp7ru]

4th & D SW, Metro job 1973 -- first job I ever had - $4.85 an hour. Slurry wall construction, ICOS company (Impresa Costruzioni Opere Specializzate) straight out of Italy.

[@MylesV]

Equivalent to nearly $30/hour in 2021 once you account for inflation-not bad!

[@jimpeter3453]

Very interesting, thanks! Regards from Baltlimore.

[@andrewlikestrains4138]

Interesting!

[@fhs2004jtwwf2007]

Power Surge - Mike Vickers is the song used in the tunneling part.

[@radien239]

do you have any photos or video of other stations under construction

[@paulinabonta4527]

There not gonna give you any photos there too busy dealing with train stuff with or something

[@AldousHuxleyBraveNewWorld]

May I ask the date of this video?

[@JohnZWetmore]

Probably the early 1970s. The first DC Metro line opened in 1976.

[@AldousHuxleyBraveNewWorld]

***** Thank you John. Because WMATA didn't build all tunnels at the same time I was wondering if this video represented early methodologies or if they used the same process as they expanded the system. I think you are totally correct as to the 1970s; just wondering if trains were running elsewhere on the system at the time this was filmed or this was the kick-off of the whole system.

[@JohnZWetmore]

Aldous Huxley They mention tunneling under Lafayette Square, which would have been the first segment of the Red Line from Farragut North to Rhode Island Avenue that opened in 1976.

[@AldousHuxleyBraveNewWorld]

***** Good Eyes! Thank you!

[@Drknnja]

They used the cut and cover method through the poorer neighborhoods. They tunneled underneath in the rich neighborhoods and tourist areas.