Metro officials approved a plan Thursday to upgrade the red line in order to cut down on delays.

The first installment will cost somewhere around $100 million, but officials say passengers will reap the benefits.

The Metrorail system is aging, and like anything that gets old, it tends to break. And commuters, like Sandra Thompson, said she faces 15 minute and 20 minute delays daily on the red line. She welcomes anything that will speed up her commute.

Under the plan, the infrastructure of Metro's rails will be rehabilitated. In fact, the plan will upgrade everything from tracks to tiles to communications. Metro commuter Debbie Alves says, "It is about time; it's been overdue."

Metro plans to use a single contractor for all the work, opting out of an array of companies.

Work will begin next year on the oldest and busiest stretch between Dupont Circle and Silver Spring Stations. "I think it's great," said commuter Mevena Parson. "But we need to work on all the lines."

The plan for the red line will cause frequent delays because trains will have to share a single track on weekends and on weekday nights after the evening rush. Weekday track work is currently limited to hours when the system is closed.

The rail system will also dedicate an extended period of time during the late evening and early morning hours in an effort to complete the upgrades sooner. Metro officials however, say that's not very productive because workers have a very short window to set up equipment, work and remove equipment before the system opens in the morning.

Metro capital projects chief David Couch says the maintenance would pause during nights when major events are scheduled. Metro is planning to do similar work on the orange and green lines in coming years.