Silver Line's Completion Delayed By More Than Year

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The government agency that’s building the Metro system’s Silver Line announced Monday that design modifications and other work will add $76 million to the cost of the multibillion-dollar project.

The design modifications, along with weather and construction delays, have also delayed the completion of the second phase of the Silver Line by 13 months, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) said.

The second phase, from Reston to Ashburn, was projected to be completed in 2018; the new delays will push that date back to 2019 or 2020.

The first phase of the Silver Line opened last July. It runs west from the East Falls Church Metro stop and down the Dulles Toll Road to the Wiehle Avenue station in Reston.

The additional expenses will not mean higher tolls for drivers on the toll road, the MWAA said. They will increase the previously announced cost of Phase 1 by 2.6 percent. The MWAA projects the final close-out cost of Phase 1 will total $2.98 billion, within the federally approved Phase 1 budget.

For commuters and others who drive on the Dulles Toll Road, toll rates will remain at current levels through 2018, the MWAA said. Revenue from tolls is one of several sources of funding for the Silver Line, which the MWAA is building for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA).

The design modifications will enhance the safety and reliability of the Silver Line, the MWAA said. Most of the remaining work on Phase 1 will be completed by the end of this year, including the delivery of 64 new rail cars at a cost of $189.4 million, MWAA said. The final close-out of Phase 1 is expected to occur in 2016.