Roberta Aguirre
Phase 2 of the Silver Line expansion opened on November 15, 2022, taking Metrorail passengers to Dulles International Airport for the first time. The $6.01 billion, 23.1-mile Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project is Metro's largest expansion by route mileage since its inception in 1976. The project includes six stations and runs from Reston, Virginia, through Washington Dulles International Airport and into Ashburn in eastern Loudoun County, Virginia. The expansion is expected to streamline the passenger journey by leveraging the AeroTrain system and other mobility options for efficient terminal navigation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Phase 2 opening date | November 15, 2022 |
| Phase 2 completion cost | $6.01 billion |
| Phase 2 expansion mileage | 11.4-11.6 miles |
| Number of stations in Phase 2 | 6 |
| Number of gates in Concourse Tier 2 | 22 |
| Number of airline gates in the new C/D concourse | 44 |
| Number of daily passengers | 60,000 |
| Number of destinations | 139+ |
| Yearly enplanements in 2024 | 27.3 million |
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What You'll Learn
- Silver Line Phase 2 opened on November 15, 2022
- The $6.01 billion project is Metro's largest expansion by route mileage
- The extension includes six stations and runs from Reston, VA to Ashburn, VA
- The Silver Line's opening ceremony was attended by regional leaders
- The expansion will add more than 2.8 million square feet to the airport
Silver Line Phase 2 opened on November 15, 2022
The Silver Line now stretches an additional 11.5 miles (or 11.4 by some sources) from Reston, Virginia, through Washington Dulles International Airport, to Ashburn in eastern Loudoun County. There are six new stations, including one located 550 feet from the airport terminal. The underground station provides a more convenient option for travellers, despite extending construction time and increasing costs. Trains run every 10 minutes during weekday rush hours, every 12 minutes during weekday off-peak hours and weekends, and every 15 minutes daily after 9:30 pm.
The opening ceremony was attended by regional leaders, including Virginia Senator Tim Kaine, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser, and U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. The first Silver Line train carried local leaders and officials, including Mayor Bowser, who took the chance to sit at the train's controls.
The extension is expected to improve the travel experience for the 60,000 passengers who pass through Dulles daily, as well as commuters from the far western suburbs of Washington.
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The $6.01 billion project is Metro's largest expansion by route mileage
The $6.01 billion Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, also known as the Silver Line expansion, is the largest expansion by route mileage in the history of the Metro, which was first established in 1976. The project, which finally opened to the public on November 15, 2022, after multiple delays, expands the line by 11.5 miles (18.5 km) to Ashburn in Loudoun County via Dulles International Airport. The Silver Line's Phase 2 was highly anticipated as it was expected to bring enormous benefits to the entire National Capital area and be a foundation for future growth.
The project was initially estimated to cost $2.75 billion, but this figure was increased to $3.44 billion and then to $4.1 billion in 2010 by a group of consultants. The decision to build an underground station located 550 ft from the airport terminal, instead of an above-ground station 1,150 ft away, added a further $330 million to the cost and caused construction delays. The projected cost was then reduced to $3.8 billion in 2012 and finally to $2.7 billion with the elimination of the underground station at Dulles Airport. The Phase 2 contract was awarded in May 2013, and construction began in March 2019. The final cost of the project was $6.01 billion.
The Silver Line expansion has been praised by political, business, and community leaders for easing traffic congestion, improving access to jobs, and enhancing tourism. The line is expected to draw both airport traffic and commuters from the far western suburbs of Washington. Trains run every 10 minutes during weekday rush hours, every 12 minutes during weekday off-peak hours and weekends, and every 15 minutes daily after 9:30 pm. The extension is also expected to benefit low-cost carriers, with customers now able to take the Metro to Dulles. The walk from the parking garage to the terminal is comfortable and easy, taking place within enclosed, air-conditioned spaces.
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The extension includes six stations and runs from Reston, VA to Ashburn, VA
The Silver Line's Phase 2 extension, which opened on November 15, 2022, includes six stations and runs from Reston, Virginia, to Ashburn, Virginia. The extension covers a distance of 11.4 to 11.6 miles, with trains running every 10 minutes during weekday rush hours, every 12 minutes during weekday off-peak hours and weekends, and every 15 minutes daily after 9:30 pm. The six stations included in the extension are Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Route 606, and Route 772/Ashburn.
The Silver Line extension has been long-awaited by commuters and travellers in the D.C. area, who can now take the Metrorail into Loudoun County. The opening of Phase 2 was delayed multiple times due to various issues, including problems with concrete and cracks in buildings. There were also setbacks in getting enough 7000-series railcars back on track after a derailment near the Rosslyn station.
The extension is expected to be well-utilised by airport passengers and commuters from the western suburbs of Washington. The track rises on a viaduct following the path of the arrivals driveway of the airport terminal, with the station located away from the terminal and accessible by a pedestrian tunnel. The track heads north, parallel to the main runways, with a storage yard and maintenance facility branching off to the west. The final two stops are in the median of the Dulles Greenway, serving the Ashburn suburb.
The Silver Line project is a partnership between Loudoun and Fairfax counties and the Commonwealth of Virginia. It will be transferred to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for operation upon completion. The initial stretch of the Silver Line, which included five stations, opened in 2014, and the full line to Ashburn was expected to be completed in 2016. However, due to repeated delays, the completion date was pushed back multiple times before finally opening in November 2022.
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The Silver Line's opening ceremony was attended by regional leaders
The Silver Line's Phase 2 opening ceremony was held on November 15, 2022, at Dulles International Airport. The ceremony was attended by regional leaders, including local leaders, officials, and the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Pete Buttigieg. The first Silver Line train departed the Dulles Airport Station with these leaders and officials on board.
The $6.01 billion, 23.1-mile Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project is Metro's largest expansion by route mileage since its inception in 1976. Phase 2 of the project expands the line by 11.4 to 11.6 miles to Ashburn in Loudoun County via Dulles International Airport. The new segment consists of six stations, including Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Route 606, and Route 772/Ashburn.
The opening of Phase 2 was highly anticipated, as it provides a new mode of transportation to the airport for commuters and travelers in the D.C. area. The extension is expected to draw both airport traffic and commuters from the far western suburbs of Washington. The train is intended to replace the mobile lounges, which many passengers found crowded and inconvenient.
The Silver Line's Phase 2 opening ceremony was a significant milestone in the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, and the attendance of regional leaders underscored the importance of this expansion for the region.
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The expansion will add more than 2.8 million square feet to the airport
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has selected HOK to design an expansion that will add more than 2.8 million square feet to Dulles International Airport in Northern Virginia, which serves the Washington, D.C. region. This expansion will begin with the Tier 2 development, extending beyond the Tier 2 Concourse East, which is currently under construction. The design will include a federal inspection services facility for international travellers, with the flexibility to accommodate both narrow- and wide-body aircraft for domestic and international flights in future phases.
The expansion will include 22 international gates in Concourse Tier 2 in its first phase and a new Concourse Tier 3. The project will streamline the passenger journey by leveraging the AeroTrain system and other mobility options for efficient terminal navigation. It will also include a new central utility plant for airport infrastructure and upgrades to ramp control systems and baggage handling services.
The design will prioritize both passenger well-being and sustainability through thoughtful choices in lighting, acoustics, and materials that create a calming environment for all travellers. As part of the overall planning process, HOK will examine all aspects of the airport to enhance operations and elevate the passenger experience to accommodate expected passenger growth. This includes security processing, baggage handling, airline operations, gate requirements, and more.
Dulles International Airport is one of three major airports serving the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area. As of 2024, it is the busiest airport in the Washington–Baltimore metropolitan area and the 28th busiest airport in the United States. The airport handles more than 20 million passengers annually, with an average of 60,000 passengers passing through Dulles daily to and from more than 139 destinations worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
Phase 2 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project opened on November 15, 2022.
The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project is an expansion of the Silver Line, extending the line by 11.5 miles (18.5 km) to Ashburn in Loudoun County via Dulles International Airport.
The project cost $6.01 billion.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has selected HOK to design an expansion that will add more than 2.8 million square feet to the airport. The expansion will include 22 international gates in Concourse Tier 2 and a new Concourse Tier 3.
