New Problems Surface For Metro Silver Line Phase 2: Report

New problems threaten to delay Metro's Silver Line Phase 2 expansion even further, according to a report.

NBC Washington's Adam Tuss reports that the sealant to coat concrete panels failed in recent tests, meaning the sealant was not always effective.

Metro's Silver Line Phase 2 expansion, which would extend Metro's reach to Reston Town Center, Herndon, Dulles Airport, and beyond -- was already not set to open until late 2020, and this latest report indicates that more delays are possible.

BREAKING - more bad news for Metro’s Silver Line Phase 2 - News4 has learned that the sealant to coat troubled concrete panels FAILED some recent tests - meaning the sealant as applied was not effective in all cases. @nbcwashington #wmata pic.twitter.com/80V2A6tpwW
— Adam Tuss (@AdamTuss) September 6, 2019

The Washington Post reported earlier this summer that due to ongoing problems with Phase 2 of the $5.8 billion Silver Line project, trains that originally were expected to begin running in January may not be open for business until mid-to-late 2020.

Phase 1 ended up going $220 million over budget, but officials thought the second phase of the project would go smoother thanks to lessons learned from Phase 1 and not nearly as many obstacles, like boring a tunnel in the middle of Tysons, the Post noted.

However, problems continue to crop up with the project, like cracks in concrete, bad rail ties, and a platform that had to be redone. In one case, a subcontractor was criminally charged.

WTOP reported last month that the contractor responsible for building a new rail yard near Dulles Airport has seen their schedule slip 67 days over the past month, meaning substantial completion of the Silver Line Phase 2 won't happen until late July 2020.

The rail yard and mainline tracks both must be complete for Metro to accept the rail project, which means the soonest the Silver Line Phase 2 Metro stations could open for business would be September or October 2020 if nothing changes.