Reston Town Center Next Rising Up Along Silver Line Phase 2 Alignment
As the region’s economy continues its post-pandemic upswing, so do new mixed-use developments near the new rail stations along the Silver Line corridor. For example, new construction between Reston Town Center and the rail line dominates the skyline along Sunrise Valley Drive near Reston Town Center Station. The 28-story and 20-story office towers pictured here are connected by an amenity bridge and comprise the first phase of Reston Town Center Next.
Trains Roll as Silver Line Testing Ramps Up
As a positive sign of the times, the number of test trains running along the Phase 2 Silver line tracks from Reston through Dulles to Ashburn will increase as testing and final work continues in preparation for turnover to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).
The activity is part of what’s called Level F or final testing.
Officials at Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the builders of the Silver Line, say the increased number of trains will be obvious starting in August.
Meanwhile, the Airports Authority continues to work with WMATA to set a date for another service outage at the Wiehle-Reston East Station where the Automatic Train Control System for Phase 2 is being connected to the Phase 1 system. This tie-in will be a major step in the path to long-awaited revenue service.
During that weekend outage, WMATA will provide shuttle buses between the Wiehle-Reston East and Spring Hill Station in Tysons just as it did during previous outages.
Rail officials had previously announced plans to complete construction and have the project ready for transfer to WMATA on Labor Day; that has been delayed.
Transferring Phase 2 to WMATA will trigger the beginning of WMATA’s final testing to ensure that the project systems and facilities meet all design criteria and WMATA requirements.
WMATA plans to open all six stations at the same time in early 2022. The stations are Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Dulles Airport, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn.
Capital Rail Constructors (CRC) is building the rail system with a host of subcontractors.
Silver Line Phase 2 also includes a vast rail yard and maintenance facility being built on more than 90 acres of Airports Authority property along the western edge of the airport. Hensel Phelps is building the rail yard.
Construction crews continue with a variety of testing, walk-throughs, punchlist items, finishing touches and documentation.
WMATA plans to open all six stations at the same time in early 2022.
New Silver Line Stations Not Open to the Public… Yet
All of the new Phase 2 Silver Line Metrorail stations look like they are completely finished. But they are not and they remain closed to the public.
There have been some recent occasions when curious folks have entered or attempted to enter one of the stations, despite signage warning against it. That’s trespassing.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, builders of the rail project, is reminding the public that the stations are not yet complete and can be dangerous.
Stations involved are the Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn. There is also a station at Dulles International Airport.
For information about each station, visit www.dullesmetro.com or contact the outreach office at outreach@dullesmetro.com.
Pictured at top: Reston Gateway. Photo-Courtesy of Clark Construction.
