The 11.7-mile portion of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority's (MWAA) Silver Line between its split from the Orange Line and Wiehle–Reston East station is in Fairfax County, Virginia and was constructed as Phase 1 of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. Phase 2 expands the line another 11.4 miles to Ashburn in Loudoun County, via Washington Dulles International Airport, adding six stations to the line. Construction of Phase 2 began in 2014; it is estimated to open in 2021. The $6.8 billion project is Metro's largest expansion by route mileage since its inception in 1976.

Technical Details:

The 11.4 miles of new track and six stations run westward through Reston and Herndon to the Dulles Airport and ends at Route 772 in eastern Loudoun County. Stations include Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Loudoun Gateway, Ashburn, and a new service and inspection yard. All stations in this phase have commuter parking beside the Reston Town Center Station and the Dulles Airport Station.

The Wiehle-Reston East station is the temporary Silver Line terminus and served as the prototype for all Phase 2 stations, with the exception of the Dulles Airport Station. Since the Washington Dulles International Airport is a historic landmark, the Dulles Airport station mimics the architecture of the terminal.

Scope of work included but was not limited to:

• Over 23,000 LF of communication ducts
• Over 55,000 LF of conductor
• Construction of 20 overhead sign structures
• Solar powered lighting
• Ground mounted signs

Key Improvements:

• 6 new metro stations
• Links Dulles Airport to the WMATA Metro System
• Reduction in vehicle traffic on SR-267 and surrounding roadways

Benefits/Positive Aspects to Community:

Phase 2 is expected to have significant positive impacts on the local economy. The Silver Line provides alternative transportation to and from Dulles Airport as well as linking Loudoun County with the remainder of Northern Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C.