Construction on the second phase of the Metro Silver Line Extension project is now virtually complete and when the rail service becomes fully operational, it will run all the way to Dulles International Airport and into Loudoun county. This rail service project was developed through a joint venture led by Clark Construction and Kiewit, with the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) overseeing the development and construction is being handled by Capital Rail Constructors.
This newly built Metro Silver Line Extension runs for 11.5 miles from Wiehle-Reston East Station and consists of six new stations which include: Reston Town Center, Hendon, Innovation Center, Dulles Airport, Loudoun Gateway, and Ashburn. Additionally, a 90-acre rail maintenance yard is also being developed as part of the project and it is currently approaching its final stages of completion. The yard, which is located at Dulles International Airport, is being built as a separate contract by Colorado-based Hensel Phelps.
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According to reports from the Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA), the Metro Silver Line Extension project has reached a major milestone and is now ready for operational readiness testing. After the project has undergone a series of tests, the MWAA will finally hand it over to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. About 200 tests will be carried out to ensure that the tracks and a new train yard in Dulles are safe for operation. Upon completion of all the required tests, Metro will then undergo simulations and training for about 90 days; after which, the board will vote to accept the work done and pick a date for the grand opening.
Cost of the Metro Silver Line Extension Project
The entire cost of Phase I and Phase II of The Metro Silver Line Extension project rose to about $5.8 billion, due to several delays and construction issues that ended up setting the project behind schedule and increasing the budget. The extension from the Wiehle-Reston station was actually meant to be completed in 2016, but the plans changed and only the first phase of the Silver Lane was opened in July 2014, which was six months behind schedule and more than $220 million over budget. Phase II which was supposed to be completed at the end 2018, suffered a 13 month delay before construction began and this added at least $137 million to the cost. These delays have added over $300 million to the project’s cost, which is expected to be covered by a $500 million contingency fund. Funding for this project is being provided by the state of Virginia, the federal government, and Loudoun and Fairfax counties; however, the majority of the Silver Line project’s costs are being covered by the Dulles Toll Road users.
The earliest time which was proposed by Metro for opening the Metro Silver Line Extension is around February 2022, which would be after all the required testing has been completed. The completion and opening of this project will give rise to improved access and alternative routes to Dulles Airport and reduce traffic congestion in the Northern Virginia area. The president and CEO of the Airports Authority, Jack Potter, also pointed out that the Metro Silver Line will not just offer new public transportation options, but will also serve as a catalyst for jobs and economic development in the region.
