What to Know
- Work continues on phase two of Metro's Silver Line project, ultimately providing service to Dulles Airport.
- U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., toured construction Tuesday, riding the Silver Line, for the first time.
- GM Paul Wiedefeld said more than 1 million people rely on Metro trains and buses each day.
Work continues on phase two of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s Silver Line project, ultimately providing service to Washington Dulles International Airport in about four years.
U.S. Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., toured construction Tuesday, riding the Silver Line, for the first time, to the Wiehle-Reston East Station. Phase two of the project will go another 11 miles from the end of phase one into Loudoun County, Virginia, and ending at Dulles Airport.
Kaine was joined by General Manager Paul Wiedefeld on the trip, and he voiced support for the GM’s outlook on Metro’s future.
"I think the management of Metro has been going in a positive direction,” Kaine said. “Obviously, still a huge number of issues, and then there are issues on our shoulders in Congress to make sure we provide the financial support necessary to keep Metro running."
Wiedefeld said federal funding is important in creating a smoother and more reliable ride. He told Kaine more than 1 million people rely on Metro trains and buses each day, and "take a tenth of that and put that on the road instead of on Metro, it's already virtually impossible."
After riding the train to Wiehle-Reston East Station, Kaine hopped on a Washington Airports Authority bus to see firsthand the work being done on phase two.
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"It's just a necessary project to keep up with the growth of Northern Virginia and especially to serve this international airport, which is one of the two key hubs to Virginia's economic reach," Kaine said.
However, the senator acknowledged economy is only one consideration, and safety remains a top priority.
