Silver Line Extension Opening Nears As Project Reaches Major Construction Milestone

RESTON, VA — It looks like the long-anticipated — and long-delayed — extension of the Silver Line beyond Reston to Washington Dulles International Airport and beyond may be a lot closer to completion than people imagined.

Capital Rail Constructors (CRC) has completed a substantial portion on Phase 2 of the Metrorail Silver Line extension project, according to a statement released Thursday by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Thursday afternoon.

CRC, which is a joint effort led by the Clark Construction Group and Kiewit, has completed major construction on the line to the point where it could begin demonstrating the project's functionality to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

“This is a significant step toward completing the 11.5-mile extension that will provide rail service for residents in Reston, Herndon and eastern Loudoun County and give Metro riders direct access to Dulles Airport,” said WMATA President and CEO Jack Potter, in the release. “In addition to providing new public transportation options, the Silver Line is a major catalyst for jobs and economic development in the National Capital region.”

WMATA, which operates Metrorail, opened Phase 1 of the Silver Line in 2014, allowing riders to travel from the East Falls Church Station, through the McLean and Tysons Corner area, and to the Wiehle-Reston East Station.

Phase 2 also includes the construction of a 90-acre rail maintenance yard, which Hensel Phelps is building at the airport. The project, which is under a separate contract, is also nearing completion, according to MWAA.

Earlier in the month, MWAA estimated that the Silver Line would be open for business in early 2022. Once the 11.5-mile extension is open, riders will be able to travel to six new stations on the line: Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation, Loudoun Gateway, and Dulles International Airport.

Progress on the Silver Line Phase 2 project comes as good news for WMATA. The transit authority hasn't seen much of that since the Oct. 12 derailment of a Metrorail train traveling on the Blue Line in Virginia exposed serious safety issues with Metro's 7000-series railcars. WMATA was forced to remove 748 cars out of service. Since then, Metro has been offering reduced service to customers, which is expected to last at least until Nov. 15.

Related:

Silver Line Service On Metrorail Expands With 7 Additional Trains

Metro Trains To Remain At Reduced Service Through Mid-November