Start date set on Metro Silver Line service in Va.

McLEAN, Va. (AP) — After decades of planning, delays and blown budget projections, Metro officials said they expect a $2.9 billion segment of a new Silver Line serving northern Virginia to open next month.

On a conference call with reporters Monday, Metro General Manager Richard Sarles said enough progress has been made to safely project July 26 as the date the five new stations will open.

The line runs through Tysons Corner from Reston to Falls Church on a route that roughly parallels the Dulles Toll Road. Preliminary work has begun on a second phase that will extend the line to Dulles International Airport.

Regional planners had sought the Metrorail extension for decades. Ten years ago, when planning began in earnest, officials believed the line would cost $1.5 billion and be finished by 2009.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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