Passenger service on Metrorail’s Silver Line extension into Loudoun County is one step closer to reality. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) announced in a news release today, June 23, 2022, that it is taking control of the Silver Line extension, one of the final steps in the project’s completion. This milestone known as the Operational Readiness Date (ORD) marks the point where control of the extension is formally transferred from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), which managed construction of the project, to WMATA, which operates Metrorail.
The opening date for passenger service will be announced at a later date. Phase 2 of the Silver Line is expected to open to the public approximately 90 to 150 days after ORD is announced.
“I am thrilled the project is moving forward toward opening to the public,” said Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis J. Randall. “Loudoun is ready to see our investment in this project pay off as Loudoun becomes connected to the region by Metro. In addition, we are excited to welcome new tourist and visitors from the Washington, D.C. area to Loudoun.”
“Operational Readiness is a long-awaited critical step toward opening Silver Line Phase 2,” said Dulles District Supervisor Matt Letourneau, who is also a member of the Metro Board of Directors. “This action allows Metro to begin final testing, training and staff familiarization on the new expansion and the new rail yard, which is a major component of this project. I appreciate the hard work of staff at the Airports Authority and Metro to resolve issues and bring us closer to service.”
Loudoun County is preparing for the opening of the Silver Line Metrorail Service to and from the Dulles Airport, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn Metro Stations. In this phase, the final 11.4 miles of the 23.1-mile Silver Line extension from East Falls Church to Dulles Airport was completed. The extension of Metrorail will provide reliable transportation and an alternative to vehicular traffic between the Dulles Corridor and Herndon, Reston, Tyson’s Corner, Arlington and downtown Washington, D.C.
When Metrorail service in Loudoun begins, Loudoun County Transit will provide bus routes to and from the Metrorail stations. For more information, visit loudoun.gov/silverline.
Getting to Metrorail Stations
When Silver Line Metrorail passenger service begins in Loudoun County, riders will be able to access the Loudoun Metrorail stations in several ways, including by bus or car as follows:
- Transit Service: Loudoun County Transit will begin new and modified bus routes when Metrorail Silver Line service begins in Loudoun County. More information is provided on the Silver Line Bus Routes webpage.
- Metrorail Parking Garages: Loudoun County is responsible for the construction of three garages to serve two Metrorail stations - one at the Loudoun Gateway Metrorail Station and two at the Ashburn Station Metrorail Station. More information is provided on the Metrorail Parking Garages in Loudoun County webpage.
More Information about Loudoun County Transit
Visit loudoun.gov/riderinformation for details about Loudoun County Transit, including commuter, local-fixed route, metro connection and paratransit bus services; planning a trip; service alerts; and how to ride safely.
# # #