Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project progress update e-mail 05 30 2014
Late Summer Opening Anticipated; Finishing Touches, Testing Still Ahead
Testing, Finishing Work and Training All Along The Silver Line: Crews continue to conduct Operational Readiness Testing all along Phase 1 of the Dulles Metrorail Project, including this area atop the platform of the Spring Hill Station on the western edge of Route 7 near the Dulles Toll Road interchange.
Photo by Terry Lowenthal, Dulles Transit Partners
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority on May 27 formally transferred control of the 11.7-mile Phase 1 of the Silver Line to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
This milestone, known as the "Operational Readiness Date" (ORD), begins up to 90 days of readiness testing of the system and training of staff prior to starting passenger service.
Following Metro's acceptance of the transfer of Phase 1, the Airports Authority thanked its regional, state and federal partners "who have worked together tirelessly to achieve the important milestone of transferring Phase 1 of the Silver Line project to WMATA."
"We look forward to passengers experiencing the great benefits of the Metrorail extension following years of hard work and dedication by the men and women who have made this monumental project possible," the Authority said.
Reaching ORD was the result of on-going cooperation between the Airports Authority, WMATA and Dulles Transit Partners, the Phase 1 design-build contractor. After rejecting DTP's first claim to have reached substantial completion, the Airports Authority in late April announced that many of the outstanding issues had been resolved and accepted DTP's latest substantial completion statement.
Finishing Touches: Contractors from Macerich, owners of Tysons Corner Center, have just about completed the pedestrian bridge that will tie the Tysons Corner Station's pedestrian pavilion directly into Macerich's new commercial, residential and hotel development now rising adjacent to the shopping center. Rail riders will have easy access to the mall via this bridge and elevators and escalators.
Photo by Chuck Samuelson, Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project
USDOT to Provide $1.9 Billion Loan for Dulles Rail
Funding for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project got a major boost last month with the approval of a $1.9 billion low-interest loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan which was awarded to the Silver Line is the largest in TIFIA history.
TIFIA provides loans and lines of credit to help finance transportation projects. These loans have low interest rates and flexible repayment terms, which helps to advance large ventures.
According to the Airports Authority, the approval is a victory for users of the Dulles Toll Road, whose toll payments help fund construction of the Silver Line extension of the Washington region's Metrorail public transit system.
The Airports Authority's objective has always been to keep tolls on the Dulles Toll Road as low as possible, and the TIFIA loan is a major factor in meeting that objective.
"Thanks to the favorable interest rates the loan provides, as well as $300 million committed by the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Airports Authority will be able to hold tolls at current levels through 2018 and to limit future toll increases," according to the Airports Authority.
In Phase 1, the U.S. Department of Transportation provided $900 million in grants to the project. The federal government had previously stated support for Phase 2 would come in the form of loans, not grants.
The announcement of the approval of the loan is the result of a collaborative effort, led by Northern Virginia's Congressional delegation.
Phase 2 Preconstruction Rolling Along
Phase 2 Caisson Test Shaft Location #3: Excavating and exposing the test caissons four feet below grade in preparation for partial demolition.
Photo by Steven Suddarth
Crews from Capital Rail Constructors (CRC), the Phase 2 design-build contractor, are proceeding with preliminary construction of Phase 2, with most of the current work concentrated at Dulles Airport and along the Dulles Toll Road and the Dulles Greenway.
Phase 2 will extend Metrorail service from the Wiehle-Reston East Station (expected to open when Phase 1 opens later this year) westward through Dulles Airport to Route 772 in Ashburn. Phase 2 includes 6 stations: Reston Parkway, Herndon, Innovation, Dulles Airport, Route 606 and Route 772 in Loudoun County.
Heavy construction is not planned until later this year. However, here is what is currently taking place:
- Tree relocation is taking place on Saarinen Circle to make way for construction of the Dulles Airport Station.
- A lot of work is evident along Autopilot Drive where utility relocation work is beginning in front of rental car facilities.
- Geotechnical testing is winding down.
- Preparations are beginning for the start of aerial guideway (the bridges that will carry the overhead tracks) with column installations in front of the Cargo 5 building.
Specific details of these efforts will be released to those most affected and to the driving public in advance.
A Phase 2 construction HOTLINE has been established. If you have concerns or complaints, please call
1-844-385-RAIL. For general project information, call
703-572-0506.
Phase I Stations
Here are specifics about the Phase 1 Silver Line stations.[/b]
McLean Station:
- Located at 1824 Dolley Madison Boulevard, McLean
- Near the intersection of Dolley Madison Boulevard and Scotts Crossing Road/Colshire Drive
- Served by Fairfax Connector routes 721, 724 and 734
- Access:
- Kiss & Ride (south side only)
- 2 bus bays - north side, 3 bus bays - south side
- Pedestrian bridge over Rt. 123 (connecting south side bus bays)
- Bicycle facilities: 26 racks, 20 lockers near Kiss & Ride and on Scotts Run side.
- No parking
Tysons Corner Station:
- Located at 1943 Chain Bridge Road, McLean
- Near the intersection of Chain Bridge Road and Tysons Boulevard
- Served by Fairfax Connector routes 401, 402, 423, 462, 463 and 721
- Access:
- *]Bus bays - 3 north side and 3 south side
- Pedestrian bridge over Rt. 123 connecting south side bus bays
- Bicycle facilities: 38 racks, 20 lockers
- No parking
Spring Hill Station:
- Located at 1576 Spring Hill Road, Vienna
- Near the intersection of Spring Hill Road and Leesburg Pike
- Served by Fairfax Connector routes 424, 432, 574 and 724
- Access:
- Kiss & Ride - west side
- 3 bus bays - east side
- Pedestrian bridge
- Bicycle facilities 22 racks, 20 lockers
- No parking
Wiehle-Reston East Station:
- Located at 1862 Wiehle Avenue, Reston
- Near the intersection of Wiehle Avenue and Dulles Toll Road (Route 267)
- Served by Fairfax Connector routes 505, 507 , 551, 552, 553, 554, 557, 558, 559, 585, 599, 924, 926, 929, 950, 951, 952, 980, 981, 985, RIBS1, RIBS2, RIBS3 and RIBS4
- Access:
- Park and Ride including covered garage
- Kiss and Ride - north side
- 10 bus bays - in covered garage, 5 bus bays - south side
- Pedestrian bridge over toll road
- Defined area for 150 bicycles
- Future Connector Store location
- 2,300 commuter parking spaces, $4.75 a day
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Link to PDF version not yet posted at
Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project web site.