Substantial completion of the work on Phase 2 of the Metrorail Silver Line extension project is finished, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said Thursday.
“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 Jack Potter, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
“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,” Potter said.
According to the airports authority, “substantial completion” means major construction is finished, which allows for “operational readiness testing” to begin.
A Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority statement called it a “key step” toward delivering the new rail line to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, which operates the Metrorail system.
“This project was built by the community, for the community. It is the result of the significant contributions of nearly 10,000 craft workers – a large contingent from the Capital Region – all coming together to deliver an impactful project that we can be proud of,” said Keith Couch, project director at Capital Rail Constructors, in a statement.
He called the 11 1/2 miles of new track from the Wiehle-Reston East Station to a terminus in Loudoun County “an extraordinary team effort.”
