Silver Line

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) has provided a $1.28bn loan to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) for Phase II of the Metrorail Silver Line extension.

Offered by the Transportation Infrastructure Financial Innovation Act (TIFIA), the funding forms a part of an approximately $1.87bn combined commitment of TIFIA loans for the extension’s second phase.

Work under the extension includes the construction of 11.4-mile long track from Wiehle Avenue to Route 772 in eastern Loudoun County.

MWAA will also build six new stations along Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Washington Dulles International Airport, Route 606 and Route 772, in addition to a new service and inspection yard at Dulles International.

"When complete, The Silver Line will help residents and visitors get where they need to go safely, quickly and affordably."

US DoT Secretary Anthony Foxx said: "The first phase of the Silver Line has been an overwhelming success and we look forward to ensuring the second half is just as successful, with the help of this $1.28bn loan from the federal government.

"When complete, the Silver Line will help residents and visitors get where they need to go safely, quickly and affordably. It’s the kind of project we would like to see more of, and one way to do that is if Congress will support our Grow America Act to provide long-term funding for transit systems, roads and bridges nationwide."

Operated by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the Silver Line is expected to serve approximately 85,700 riders a day by 2030.

Image: Unused concrete pier along WMATA K Route tracks for Silver Line bridge near West Falls Church station. Photo: courtesy of Ben Schumin.