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Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority's (WMATA) rebuilding and modernization efforts accelerated in fourth-quarter 2012, with $230 million spent on projects designed to make the system "safer and more reliable," agency officials announced yesterday.

Major projects included platform reconstruction at various outdoor stations on the Red and Orange lines, upgrades to power and signal systems, replacement of rail sections, new turnouts, third-rail improvements and ventilation equipment replacements, WMATA officials said in a prepared statement.

"We are beginning to see results in the form of improved safety, better reliability on Metrobus and Metrorail, and more escalators in service every day," said General Manager and Chief Executive Officer Richard Sarles.

WMATA's safety and reliability improved last year in 10 out of 12 categories, including rail and bus on-time performance, rail-car reliability, employee and customer safety, and escalator availability.

WMATA officials are projecting $945 million worth of capital projects will be completed in 2013.