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Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Silver Line 2 Contract Awarded, Construction Remains a Year Away

With the contractor selected, the first of several “milestones” begins for the Metro line creeping toward Ashburn.

The notion of riding Metro from a station in Ashburn to Reston Town Center, Tysons Corner or Washington, DC, moved another small step toward reality Wednesday when the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors cemented its selection of Capital Rail Constructors to build Phase 2 of the Silver Line. “This is the first of many milestones to come for the second phase of the Silver Line,” said Jack Potter, President and CEO. Phase 1 of the 23-mile extension runs from East Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue and could begin carrying passengers by the end of the year. Passengers will be able to stay on Silver Line trains East of Falls Church because they will share the Orange Line track. While the contract award for Phase 2 marks …

Bob Bruhns

11:46 am on Friday, May 24, 2013

Isn't it interesting how Tifia questions have changed the talking points. The claims that we won't see dirt turning for quite some time, and that we won't see any heavy equipment for at least a year, are dubious at best. Of course it can be claimed that this summer is 'quite some time' away, and it can be claimed that 'heavy equipment' only includes the very biggest construction gear that will be…   more ›

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

MWAA Finalizes Award of Metro Silver Line Contract

A group that includes Clarke Construction, Kiewit Infrastructure, Parsons and Dewberry will build Phase 2.

After previous announcing plans intent to pick Capital Rail Constructors as the contractor for the second phase of Metro’s Silver Line project, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority made it official Wednesday. The CRC group – which includes Clarke Construction Group, Kiewit Infrastructure South Co., Parsons Transportation and Dewberry – will extend the line from the first phase’s last station at Wiehle Avenue in Reston to Dulles International Airport and Ashburn. “This is the first of many milestones to come for the second phase of the Silver Line,” said Jack Potter, President and CEO. “The Phase 2 contract, awarded through a competitive bid process, and with the coordination and collaboration of our project partners, is moving …

Bob Bruhns

8:09 pm on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Great! Maybe MWAA, Fairfax County and Loudoun County can make good financing arrangements for this phase of the rail construction now. We won't know, until MONTHS after the ground is broken. Amazingly, this project was allowed to proceed while the financing was uncertain. What are we teaching our children here? "Yes kids, this is the right and proper way to build public infrastructure. First, …   more ›

Monday, May 13, 2013

Letter to the Editor

LTE: May Wrong on Rail, Abortion, Taxes

Purcellville reader explains his support for David LaRock in the June GOP primary.

Dear Editor, I am responding to the letter from Michael Turner claiming Del. Joe May is a fiscally conservative cost cutter. It appears these comments were taken word for word from one of the numerous mail pieces May has sent out. On the subject of Joe’s Family Foundation rating, it is deceptive for him to imply that rating is a pro-life indicator, given it did not weigh in on pro-life votes; only on an array of handpicked votes on a wide range of issues. In contrast, his 75 percent pro-abortion score from NARAL is specific to that one issue. During Joe May’s 20-year reign, the population of Virginia has grown by 20 percent, while the budget has grown 200 percent. Cost cutter? Joe May has controlled the Powerful Transportation Committee …

joe brewer

10:35 am on Monday, May 13, 2013

Very nicely done. Thanks for all the work you put into your letter.The more May is exposed the better it will be for Virginians.   more ›

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Silver Line Update: Partners Await Fed Loan Decision

Supervisors in Loudoun are counting on saving from a federal loan; express desire to engage MWAA on airport development.

The most notable elements of a presentation Wednesday about the second phase of Metro’s Silver Line were news that the project appears to be nearing final approval for a federal loan that will save Loudoun millions and concerns about potential development on Dulles International Airport property. Last month, bids came in for the bulk of the project and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, the entity tasked with constructing the project, indicated it would likely chose a $1.18 billion bid by Capital Rail Constructors, which includes Clark Construction Group and Kiewit Infrastructure South. That bid was lower than the anticipated $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion cost. Loudoun’s share of the project equals 4.8 percent of the total …

Bob Bruhns

9:57 am on Friday, May 3, 2013

Also - the estimate for the three Metro parking garages to be built by Loudoun County WAS $130.3 million in the July 3, 2011 FTA White Paper - but MWAA suddenly hyperinflated that estimate to $168 million in their March 6, 2012 project estimate. And Loudoun County agreed to pay about $269 million for its 4.8% share in the rail project. That adds up to $269 million + $130.8 million to $168 million…   more ›

Thursday, April 25, 2013

MWAA: Capital Rail Constructors in Lead for Metro Bid

The group, which includes Clark Construction and Kiewit Infrastructure South Co., submitted the low bid, and the contract is likely be awarded in May for Silver Line phase 2.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority sent notice to Capital Rail Constructors that its on track to be named the contractor of the second phase of the Metro Silver Line. The second phase will extend the Silver line from Reston to Ashburn, with a stop at Dulles International Airport. The news came in the form of an announcement of the Notice of Recommended Award identifying the CRC, which consists of Clark Construction Group and Kiewit Infrastructure South Company. The group came in with the lowest out of five bids at just under $1.18 billion, but the announcement does not yet guarantee the project to CRC. The bids that came in were lower than the estimated cost of $1.4 billion to $1.6 billion. “We are very encouraged by the price …

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

McDonnell: Low Bids, Smaller Toll Hikes

Virginia governor says savings on construction will be passed on to savings by drivers.

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell says the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority's five proposals for construction of Phase 2 of the Silver Line came in far below expectations - which he predicts will mean major savings for Virginia taxpayers and users of the Dulles Toll Road. MWAA received proposals last week from Bechtel Transit Partners, Capital Rail Constructors, Dulles APC Railbuilders, Dulles Metrorail Connectors, and Silver Line Constructors. The estimates range from $1.17 billion to $1.37 billion, MWAA said. MWAA is expected to conduct a detailed review of the proposals and award a contract later this spring. The $2.7 billion Phase 2 is being built without federal funding (Phase 1 received $900 million in federal dollars). It will …

Friday, March 29, 2013

MWAA: Rail Yard Won’t Delay Silver Line

The contractors plans to deliver project on time, but contingencies are in place to keep rail on track.

After reports that delays on a rail yard project at West Falls Church could delay the start date for the Metro’s Silver Line, a representative for the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority denies the claim. MWAA is constructing the 23-mile Silver Line extension. Marcia McAllister, spokeswoman for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, an arm of MWAA, acknowledged the contractor’s schedule had slipped on the Falls Church rail yard. The rail yard is needed to help accommodate the additional trains operating along the Silver Line, which will run from East Falls Church to Reston in its first phase and beyond to Ashburn when complete. McAllister said the part of the rail yard project experiencing delays was a service and inspection …

joe brewer

8:58 am on Saturday, March 30, 2013

Really, what source do you have for that information?   more ›

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Silver Line Phase 1 Pushed to 2014?

After previously expressing optimism for 2013 start, that might not be an option.

At the end of February, representatives from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) said they thought passengers would be riding on the brand new Silver Line by the end of 2013, but that already appears to have changed. Officials previously told Patch there are really two important dates coming up for the project's first phase: completion of construction and the day passengers begin riding. The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), the agency tasked with building Metro’s 23-mile Silver Line from East Falls Church to Ashburn, expects to complete construction around the end of the summer and turn the line over to WMATA. Safety inspections are likely to be done by the end of the year, according to a WMATA rep…

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

In Fairfax, Development Space Over Rail Pondered

Some on county board to the east looking into option to reduce impact on tolls.

Friday, March 8, 2013

WMATA Silver Line Open House March 14

WMATA will answer questions about bus and rail service during the Reston event.

Loudoun residents will have wait a few more years to jump on Metro's Silver Line at a community station, but they have a chance to ask questions about the rail routes they may hope to take advatage of when line opens. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Agency recently estimated opening the line for riders before the end of 2013. WMATA has planned an open house from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 14 at Reston Community Center Hunters Woods. There will be informational exhibits about the Silver Line, as well as opportunities to speak with representatives and offer feedback about changes to bus service. There will also be activities for kids. The Silver Line's Phase 1 will run from East Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue in Reston is slated …

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