MWAA names new chief of Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has selected Charles Stark as the new executive director of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, overseeing construction of the 11.4-mile Phase 2 extension of the Silver Line from Reston, Va., through Washington Dulles International Airport to Ashburn in Loudoun County, Va.

 

Stark succeeds Pat Nowakowski, who resigned earlier this year to become president of the Long Island Rail Road in New York.

Phase 1 of the Silver Line began passenger service on July 26, extending the Washington area’s Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) public transit system into Reston and Tysons, Va. The Silver Line currently runs between Reston and Largo, Md., via downtown Washington, D.C.

Stark has 40 years experience in the rail transportation industry, including 20 years engineering and operations experience with some of the largest transit agencies in the U.S. and 20 years experience in senior executive positions with private engineering firms. Most recently, he served as vice president and project executive for AECOM, where he managed several projects for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA), including the Westside Subway Extension.

In addition, he has served as assistant general manager of San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit system and previously as executive officer for engineering and construction for the LACMTA. He also has held a number of other positions, including leadership of a team involved in rebuilding New York’s World Trade Center complex and its public transit facilities following 9/11. He began his career as field engineer in General Electric’s rail car division and has extensive experience in rail systems.

“The MWAA is fortunate to have someone of Charles Stark’s broad experience in transit construction and engineering in this position as we complete the Silver Line project,” said MWAA President and Chief Executive Officer Jack Potter. “He will be instrumental in achieving our goal of providing top-quality transportation infrastructure for the National Capital region.”

Phase 2 of the Silver Line project, which will directly link Washington Dulles International Airport to the WMATA system, will include six rail stations, including five at ground level and one on an elevated structure; nine entrance pavilions and pedestrian bridges; aerial guideways through Dulles Airport and 89,000 feet of track. Engineering and design work on Phase 2 began last July and the project is expected to be complete in about five years.

 

Tags: