WMATA could take control of second phase of Silver Line by Labor Day

The second phase of the Silver Line Metrorail project could be turned over to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) by Labor Day weekend in September 2021, according to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).

MWAA is managing construction of the 23-mile extension of the Metrorail public transit system between Reston and Ashburn in Loudoun County, Va.

MWAA project managers base their expectation for substantial completion of Phase 2 on careful analysis of the latest data, the pace of testing by contractors and meetings with project partners and WMATA. Substantial completion means the project is ready to be turned over to WMATA for further testing, training and operational demonstrations, which would then lead to WMATA setting a future date for passenger service.

“We understand the concerns caused by construction delays, and we thank our project partners and contractors for their commitment as we work together to deliver a safe, reliable and durable rail line to serve the traveling public,” said Charles Stark, MWAA senior vice president of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. “Recent progress on outstanding issues has put us in a position to establish a target date for substantial completion and will enable Metro to solidify its plans for final testing, training and starting passenger service.”

Phase 1 of the project, which extends to Reston, Va., was completed and began passenger service in 2014. Phase 2 extends the line to Washington Dulles International Airport and points beyond in Loudoun County. Phase 2 includes six new Metrorail stations and a rail maintenance facility. The rail line and stations are being built under contract with MWAA by Capital Rail Constructors, and the rail yard and maintenance facility, on more than 90 acres of land at Dulles International Airport, is being built by Hensel Phelps.