The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) has announced that the 11.4-mile Dulles extension is operationally ready and can open by the Thanksgiving travel period, subject to approvals from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) of two submissions—a data-driven Return to Service Plan for the 7000-series railcars and a safety certification report of the Silver Line extension. However, on October 17, WMSC asserted technical objections to the Return to Service Plan, stating that the plan “is not supported by available safety information.”

The first phase of the Dulles rail line was completed in July 2014 and extended to the Wiehle–Reston East station in Fairfax County, Virginia. According to The Washington Post, the first phase cost nearly $3 billion and the price tag for the second phase, which will extend the line to Ashburn, Virginia. is just over $3 billion. In total, the 30-mile Silver Line cost about $200 million per mile, according to Forbes.

UPDATE: This afternoon (October 25), WMSC announced that it has reviewed Metro’s revised Return to Service Plan and stated that WMSC has no technical objections to the revised plan as submitted today.

Last Updated on October 25, 2022 by Ramin Seddiq