Airports Authority points finger at contractor for latest Silver Line delay

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project is facing another delay after the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) stated that "the contractor has not yet met the contract requirements for substantial completion."

 

MWAA sited that seven of the 12 criteria have not been met by the contractor including failure to deliver certificates of occupancy for almost 20 wayside buildings, including stations, power substations and the tunnel; performance issues with the automatic train control system that prevent Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) from beginning operational readiness testing; failure to fully correct defects that impact operations, including track gauge problems; elevator and escalator problems and water leaks in buildings and incomplete documentation for testing requirements and safety/security verifications.

MWAA has instructed Dulles Transit Partners, LLC (DTP), to provide a plan and date of conclusion for addressing the outstanding items as quickly as possible and says it will work closely with DTP, WMATA and other partners to monitor progress and assure that all contractual obligations are satisfied.

“Substantial completion is a major milestone in the process of advancing the project to WMATA’s Operational Readiness Testing, safety certification and revenue service,” MWAA stated. “After determining operational readiness, WMATA has up to 90 days to conduct further testing and setting the date for revenue service. During the 90-day period, the Tri-State Oversight Committee and the Federal Transit Administration will conduct reviews.”

In July 2013, MWAA and DTP announced an eight-week delay in Phase 1 so that additional testing could be performed before the line was turned over to WMATA for operation.

 

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