Silver Line Officials Analyzing Information from Saturday's Testing

Testing along Phase One of the Silver Line took place overnight Saturday, Jan. 25, involving 10 trains running simultaneously along the 11 miles of tracks and through the five Phase One stations, said Marcia McAllister, communications manager of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. 

"Observers were positioned at numerous locations to monitor the performance of the system across multiple functions - in the stations, in the traction power facilities and in train control rooms," she said. "Rail project officials, the contractor Dulles Transit Partners and WMATA are now tabulating, evaluating and analyzing all the information obtained from the demonstration."

Once the data is completely analyzed, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will have 15 days to make adjustments and recommendations. 

"There is a huge amount of data and information to be dealt with and discussed by all the parties involved," McAllister said. "When those evaluations are completed, we look forward to discussing the findings."

Once Dulles Transit Partners and MWAA are satisfied, the project will be handed over to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for up to 90 days of their own safety testing, as well as personnel training along the new line. 

No opening date has been announced as of yet, though last week Dulles Corridor Rail Association President Patty Nicoson said, "We're expecting it to open any month now."

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