County takes over maintenance of Silver Line Phase Two facilities

Another logistical piece to formally open phase two of the Silver Line has been completed, but the opening date remains entirely unclear.

At meeting on Tuesday (May 24), the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion to formally accept maintenance responsibilities of county-owned transit facilities related to the 11.4-mile Metrorail extension in Loudoun County.

“This is an important step as we move forward with phase two opening,” Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn said.

But the vote didn’t bring any updates on an opening date for the long-anticipated project, which has already faced significant delays.

At the meeting, county transportation staff noted they hope to receive a schedule from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority soon.

Just as it did for the first phase of the Silver Line, the county formally adopted a maintenance and operations agreement.

The agreement includes property conveyances between different stakeholders, along with with maps covering ownership and maintenance responsibilities.

The county will own and maintain the Reston Town Center North and South Kiss and Ride lots and bus bays, the Herndon Station South stair tower and pedestrian bridge between the parking garage and the pavilion, and the Innovation North Kiss and Ride lot.

The county’s transportation department is working with MWAA to resolve several items related to this aspect of the project.

After brief hopes of a potential May opening, county officials acknowledged on the record in March that the extension had been delayed until the summer. MWAA has declined to provide a specific date or estimate.

“Metro has not set an opening date and will not do so until after operational readiness is declared,” said Metro spokesperson Ian Janetta in a May 11 statement to FFXnow.