Silver Line Extension to Dulles Airport Set to Open November 15

After more than a decade of work, the Washington Metro's Silver Line Extension is finally set to open in just over two weeks' time.

A project that has been in the works since 2009, the Silver Line Extension offers cheaper and much more convenient access from Loudoun County to Washington-Dulles International Airport. Travelers will now be able to choose from six new stations on the 11.4-mile "Phase 2", as Metro calls it: Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Loudoun Gateway, and Ashburn.

According to Metro, 420,000 people live within five miles of the new stations, and that the new extension will "improve mobility and provide greater access to jobs, entertainment, and shopping destinations." The $3-billion project will cost passengers as little as $2 on the weekend and $6 during the week to travel from downtown Washington D.C. to Dulles Airport, with the journey taking approximately one hour. From there, a five-minute walk will lead passengers straight into the airport terminal.

The 7000-series cars that are meant to be operated on the Silver Line Extension were recently pulled from service following a derailment. This was just one of the several delays in the opening of the line, but Metro now says that enough cars will return to service in order to facilitate normal operations of the extension.

Whilst there still remain a few items to be checked off the list — including a sign-off by the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission — Metro says they are confident that November 15 will see a long-awaited addition to the Washington Metro, just in time for Thanksgiving.