Home » Tracking the DC Metro 24/7 » FAQ: Metros Silver Line
FAQ: Metros Silver Line extension opens Tuesday
Rick Massimo | rmassimo@wtop.com
November 14, 2022, 4:19 PM
The long-awaited extension of Metros Silver Line to Loudoun County, Virginia, opens up on Tuesday. How far out does it go? When can you get to Dulles International Airport? And just how long-awaited is this extension? Read on.
Q: What is the Silver Line extension?
Its an 11.5-mile, six-station stretch of track added on to the Silver Line (which marks the first time Metro will head into Loudoun County, and it will bring rail riders to Dulles International Airport for the first time.)
Q: What are the new stations?
As of Monday, the Silver Line ends at Wiehle-Reston East. Starting Tuesday, it extends to Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Loudoun Gateway and Ashburn. ... In a burst of optimism, Metro released the new map last month.
Q: So you can take the Metro to Dulles now?
Its true! Metro estimates itll take about 53 minutes to get there from Metro Center, 62 minutes from Reagan National Airport. Theres an underground walkway between baggage claim and the station, and its about a five-minute walk, Metro said. ... In fact, youll be losing some of the other options for getting to Dulles: The Silver Line Express Bus service, run by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority between Dulles and the Wiehle-Reston East station, is ending Nov. 16, and the Fairfax County Connector routes 980 and 981, which both went to the airport, are shutting down Nov. 16.
{snip}
Q: So when does the first train leave?
The first eastbound train leaves Ashburn for Largo, Maryland, just before 2 p.m. Tuesday. There are a couple of ceremonial westbound trips, but the first full-on trip to Ashburn shoves off from Largo at 12:51 p.m.
{snip}
Rick Massimo
Rick Massimo came to WTOP, and to Washington, in 2012 after having lived in Providence, R.I., since he was a child. He's the author of "A Walking Tour of the Georgetown Set" and "I Got a Song: A History of the Newport Folk Festival."
rmassimo@wtop.com