Washington was ready to spring back to life Wednesday as the federal government, the Metro system and most local public schools reopened after Hurricane Sandy kept them shut for the beginning of the workweek.

Fewer than 60,000 homes and business were without power Tuesday evening in the area, most of them in Northern Virginia, after utility companies restored nearly 200,000 customers’ service throughout the day. Pepco pledged to have 90 percent of customers’ power restored by 8 a.m. Wednesday, while Dominion shot for 100 percent by Thursday night.