Reston Metro Expansion Runs Into Big Problem: Report (ICYMI)

Editor's note: This article was originally published earlier this week.

RESTON, VA -- For those hoping to hop on the Metro to Reston Town Center, Herndon, and Dulles Airport in the near future, you should be aware that there was a worrying new problem with the Silver Line expansion recently, according to a report.

NBC Washington, citing sources, reports that the first test train on the new tracks made it just 1,000 feet out of the Wiehle-Reston East station on its way to the Reston Town Center station before running into trouble last week.

The test train was to kick off a testing process that would last for months, but the two-car train that was pushed by a locomotive didn't even come close to traveling the 11 miles of total new track. The report didn't specify what the exact problem was.

The new stations weren't scheduled to open until 2020, but continuing issues could cause that date to be pushed back even further.

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The news comes shortly after authorities found major problems with concrete in the walls of new Metro stations, which to led to a man pleading guilty last year to falsifying quality reports for the concrete. The state of Virginia and the federal government later filed suit against the manufacturer.

WTOP reported late last year that the Silver Line extension could wrap up construction as soon as this fall. After that would be testing, commissioning, and training, leading to a possible opening date in summer 2020.

It's been more than four years since the first part of the Silver Line opened, meaning if everything stays on schedule, there will be a six-year gap between when the Wiehle-Reston East station opened and when the new stations become available to commuters. Construction on the second phase -- which expands to Reston Town Center, Herndon, Dulles International Airport, and Loudoun County -- began all the way back in 2013.

(Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)