New Rail Service From D.C. to Washington Dulles Is Finally Arriving

Simply in time to alleviate some Thanksgiving journey congestion at D.C.’s largest air hub, the Metrorail this week introduced passengers would quickly be capable to get from Dulles Worldwide Airport to downtown Washington, D.C. by way of public transit—a undertaking 13 years within the making.

The extension of the east-west Silver Line, which presently consists of 28 stops between Downtown Largo and Wiehle-Reston East, is slated to begin service on November 15. After that, the prepare will cease at six new suburban stations alongside the 11.5-mile extension, together with Reston City Heart, Herndon, Innovation Heart, Dulles Worldwide Airport, Loudoun Gateway, and Ashburn. Till then, the closest station to Dulles, Wiehle-Reston East, is a bit more than eight miles from the airport.

A one-way journey from the Metro Heart station within the coronary heart of downtown to Dulles will take roughly 52 minutes. From downtown by automotive, in good site visitors situations, it takes roughly the identical period of time however can take far longer throughout rush hour (and every day parking charges on the airport vary from $12 to $27). An underground tunnel connects the prepare to the airport’s baggage declare space (roughly a five-minute stroll).

Dulles is a hub for United Airways, though 35 different airways additionally use the foremost airport, together with a number of worldwide carriers. Flights from Dulles hook up with 77 home locations in addition to to 59 worldwide ones (primarily international locations in Europe, Africa, and Central America). Between August 2021 and August 2022 (the latest figures accessible), 20.3 million passengers handed by way of Dulles, a mean of greater than 55,600 folks per day, based on the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.

The opposite airport that serves the capital, Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport, has lengthy been linked to the rail system, however the smaller hub located nearer to town heart primarily serves shorter home routes.

These closing 11.5 miles had been a part of a 23-mile, $3 billion extension undertaking the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority began in 2009. The extension was initially scheduled to open in 2018 however was held up by building points (each real and controversial) and a scarcity of prepare vehicles resulting from federal security investigation (which was resolved by restoring suspended rail vehicles).

Clients who use the extension on the opening day will probably be given commemorative pennants by Metro staff, a convention that began when the primary Metrorail station was opened in 1976.