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G R E AT FA L L S • M c L E A N • V I E N N A • O A K T O N
JUNE 26, 2014
Supervisors: ‘Hallelujah!’ to Silver Line Debut Date BRIAN TROMPETER Staff Writer
Fairfax County leaders scarcely could contain their joy June 23 after Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) officials announced that the first phase of Metrorail’s long-delayed Silver Line would begin operations July 26. “This is terrific news,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova (D) said in a statement relayed by a spokesman. “I am excited for the Silver Line to open on July 26. I
look forward to attending the opening event and being one of the first riders.” Supervisor Linda Smyth (D-Providence) was even more effusive. “My reaction is something along the lines of ‘Hallelujah! At last!’” she said. “It’s finally going to happen. I feel like pinching myself.” The summertime debut will allow Metrorail officials to work out any potential Silver Line kinks during a slow travel season, then pick up full-steam in the fall, Smyth said. For their part, Fairfax County officials must set in motion long-planned Connector
Bus routes to ferry passengers to and from the new Metrorail stations, she said. Supervisor Catherine Hudgins (D-Hunter Mill) said the Silver Line’s impending debut is the culmination of decades of hard work. “This opening is a testament to the ingenuity of the entire Washington metropolitan area,” Hudgins said in a media statement. “The people of the Hunter Mill District are pleased to hear this good news after decades of waiting for this transit option in our community.” Supervisor John Foust (D-Dranesville)
A LAST LOOK BACK AT 2014 GRADUATION SEASON
Nicole Lind, Joshua Li, Addison Lloyd and Jonathan Lo smile before graduating from McLean High School June 17 during ceremonies at D.A.R. PHOTO BY BRIAN TROMPETER Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. For more on this and other local graduations, see Pages 16-18.
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said he was “very excited” the Silver Line finally would begin running. “It was a long, difficult process, but it was worth the effort,” Foust said. “From transportation, environmental and economic-development standpoints, it’s a game-changer for our region.” The five new Silver Line stations – including four in Tysons Corner – will open to customers at noon on July 26. “The first Silver Line train will depart Wiehle-Reston East, bound for Largo Town Center, at that time,” Metro general manager and CEO Richard Sarles said in a media statement. The opening-date announcement follows two weeks’ worth of progress by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) and its contractor to resolve open work items, WMATA officials said. Some remaining items, such as obtaining certificates of occupancy, will be finished before Silver Line service begins, they said. Silver Line trains will operate between Reston and Largo at the same frequency as most other lines. During rush hours, trains will run every six minutes; at off-peak times, trains will run every 12 to 20 minutes. To confirm schedules and finalize employees’ familiarization with the new line, Metro officials will conduct a week of “simulated service” beginning Sunday, July 20. During this period, Silver Line trains without passengers will run to and from the five new stations. The “simulation” trains will carry passengers between East Falls Church and Largo Town Center, however, officials said. The new Silver Line service will bring trains more frequently at all times to stations from East Falls Church to Court House at all times; stations from Rosslyn to StadiumArmory in Washington, D.C., will have more frequent service outside of rush hours. Blue Line trains will operate every 12 minutes at all times of the day. During rush hours,
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