Dulles Metrorail
Overview
Facts at a Glance
- Project will: extend rail line 23 miles from Arlington County to the Washington Dulles International Airport and beyond into Loudoun County
- Construction is active and divided into two phases
- Phase 1 start date: March 2009
- Estimated Phase 1 completion: 2013
What's Being Done
The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project is a new 23-mile rail line, extending service from the existing Orange Line at the East Falls Church Station in Arlington County to Route 722/Ryan Road in Loudoun County. Construction of Phase 1 is underway from the Dulles Connector Road/I-66 interchange west to Wiehle Avenue in Reston. Crews are building piers and caissions, station foundations and significant traffic pattern changes are taking place on Routes 7 and 123. The relocation of 21 existing utilities are almost finished. Route 7 will be widened and left-turn lanes are being eliminated. Construction of tunnels underneath the intersection of Route 7 and Route 123 are well underway.
East Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue (Reston)
The 11.7-mile Phase 1, scheduled for completion in July 2013, will extend service from East Falls Church through five new stations – four in Tysons Corner, and one at Wiehle Avenue on the eastern edge of Reston. Click here for a map of stations.
Wiehle Avenue to Route 772 (Ashburn)
The 11.5-mile Phase 2 will include construction of six additional stations, from Wiehle Avenue to Route 772 (Ashburn), serving Reston Town Center, Herndon, Dulles Airport and eastern Loudoun County. When both phases are complete, the new line will provide a one-seat (no transfer) ride from Washington D.C. to Tysons Corner, Reston, Dulles Airport and beyond.
The Metrorail project is being built by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. When completed, it will be turned over to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) as a major addition to Metro’s 106-mile system.
Go to dullesmetro.com for more detailed project and construction information.
Project Benefits
The Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project will provide high-quality, high-capacity rail service in the Dulles Corridor - a one-seat ride from stops all along the corridor to downtown Washington, with rail service connections to Washington Dulles International and Ronald Reagan Washington National airports. Benefits of the new line and its construction include:
- Expanding access for employees and employers to the entire metro region
- Providing easy access for residents to a vast array of shopping and entertainment venues
- Encouraging high-density, transit-oriented development around stations in keeping with local land use plans
- Offering a viable, dependable alternative to automobile travel
- Promoting walking, biking and helping to create healthy lifestyles
Lane Closures
While much construction will take place behind concrete barriers, lane closures, ramp closures and detours will be necessary. No lane closures occur during rush hours – 5 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. There are no lane closures on holiday weekends.
All businesses and residential communities will remain accessible.
Click here for the latest alerts on planned construction activity and lane closures. Go to www.511virginia.org for the latest traffic conditions.
