Phase 2 of the Silver Line Extension of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) system opened for service on Tuesday, November 15, 2022. This long-awaited second expansion of the Silver Line continues service from Wiehle-Reston East in Fairfax County to the new end of the line, Ashburn Station in Loudoun County. The $3 Billion project in Northern Virginia completes the expansion that began under Phase 1, with the expansion of the WMATA rail system by approximately another 11.5 miles of track and six (6) new stations. This includes providing much-anticipated service to Dulles Airport, currently celebrating its 60th anniversary of operation. Phase 2 also includes WMATA’s newest and largest rail yard, located just north of Dulles Airport, to support Silver Line operations. The two Phases of the Silver Line extend the WMATA system by approximately 23.1 miles and provide eleven stations in northern Virginia. The opening of Phase 2 is the cumulation of the roughly 60-year journey begun with the foresight and dedication of planners and mass transit supporters to provide access for mass transit via the dedicated ROW within the Dulles International Access Highway.
Phase 1 construction consisted of approximately 11.6 miles of track and five (5) stations and opened for service in July 2014. The Phase 1 expansion originated west of the Orange Line East Falls Church station through Tysons Corners, along the Dulles International Access Highway to Wiehle-Reston Station in Fairfax County.
With Phase 2 coming online, WMATA now provides options for those in fast-developing areas in northern Virginia to reach Regan National airport, AMTRAK, VRE, the Capital area, Richmond, and beyond, using rail service; while providing residents in the Capital region the long-awaited option of Dulles International Airport.
K&J Consulting would like to congratulate Dennis Mullaney on a JOB WELL DONE for seeing this massive project through to its completion. Dennis played an integral part in the Silver Line Extension opening in 2022 before the Thanksgiving holiday. No one else could have completed all that Dennis did!
Tim Pernie (left) and Dennis Mullaney (right) at the WMATA Silver Line Extension Grand Opening Ceremony!
