It takes more than tracks and trains to run a rail line. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, builders of Phase 1 and 2 of the Silver Line, will soon begin construction of the largest rail yard and maintenance facility in the Metro System. When completed the facility, like the rail line itself, will be turned over to Metro to operate.
Located along Route 606 in Loudoun County, a busy commuter artery from Route 28 to Route 50, the yard will be built on about 90 acres all owned by the Airports Authority and part of Dulles Airport. The yard is part of the second Phase of the Silver Line and has a construction cost of about $250 million.
Construction will have little impact on most commuters, according to Stephen Barna, project director of the rail yard contract.
However, the yard is key to the maintenance and operations of rail cars once the second Phase of the Silver Line opens in approximately four years. In fact, this facility will provide inspections and maintenance to cars used on all Metro lines.
The new yard will include five structures and the yard itself will be able to accommodate 168 rail cars.
Hensel Phelps, a Chantilly-based company, is the contractor for the rail yard. A different contractor (Capital Rail Constructors) is building the rail line and all of its components.
Preliminary construction is now underway on the yard, which includes clearing and grading on the site that is clearly visible from Route 606. Installation of the infrastructure – storm water facilities, water and other utilities will begin in early Fall.
When it opens the rail yard will employ 250 people and will operate 24/7. Barna, who was second in command for construction of Phase 1, has had many years of transit construction experience, including working on Metro’s Blue Line.
“We are building bridges, stations and the entire infrastructure that it takes to operate the system, including electrical power, communications, water, sewer and highway improvements,” Barna said.
