WMATA Silver Line extension operationally ready to open soon
Written by David C. Lester, Editor-in-Chief
MWAA
Date for opening now rests with the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission concurrence on both Silver Line certification and new 7K Return to Service Plan.
After successfully completing two weeks of simulated service, Metro leaders said that they will be able to open the extension to Dulles Airport Station in time for the start of busy Thanksgiving travel.
“We committed for the Silver Line extension to being operationally ready for the Silver Line extension in October, and we have met our deadline,” said General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke. “Since control of the extension was turned over to Metro, we and our partners at the Airports Authority, Fairfax, and Loudoun have worked diligently to complete all of the steps needed for Metro to offer safe and reliable service for rail travel to Dulles Airport and Loudoun County, and we are just awaiting concurrence from our Safety Commission partners.”
Metro took custody and control of the extension from the Airports Authority on June 23 and is finalizing its safety certification report to WMSC. WMSC has worked alongside Metro for months and has stated that it expects to add their concurrence to Metro’s within hours or days after receiving the report from Metro’s Chief Safety Officer. Metro does not view the final Silver Line safety certification report as a barrier to preparing for the opening of passenger service before Thanksgiving holiday travel.
For more information, please see the WMATA website.
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