Opening Date Announced for First Phase of Silver Line

Metro's general manager announced the opening date for the first phase of Silver Line service in northern Virginia.

Richard Sarles told reporters on a conference call on Monday that July 26 will be the opening date for the $2.9 billion Phase I of the Silver Line.

Phase I includes service from Reston through Tysons Corner at five new stations. The second phase will extend to Dulles International Airport but is years away from completion.

The first train will leave from the Wiehle-Reston East station and head to Largo Town Center. The trains will operate at the same frequency as most of the other lines. During the rush hours, trains will run every six minutes; at off-peak times, the trains will run every 12 to 20 minutes.

The Silver Line is also going to mean a change for Blue and Orange line riders because of how many trains can get through Rosslyn at rush hour, Tuss reported. Two Blue Line trains per rush hour will have to go away, and some Orange Line service goes down.

Metro says it will start a week of simulated service with no customers beginning July 20. The simulated service trains, however, will carry passengers between East Falls Church and Largo Town Center.

Almost 25,000 people are expected to use the Silver Line daily once it opens.

The project has been plagued by delays. It was supposed to have opened in 2013.
 

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