After no small amount of debate, delay, and controversy, the first phase of D.C. Metro's Silver Line will launch passenger service today. The line will connect Washington D.C. to northwestern Virginia, including four stops in Tysons Corner.
Paul Duggan previews the weekend's opening of phase 1 of the Silver Line by detailing the final preparations and testing for the new route.
"After countless rounds of political debate, stop-and-start technical planning that began a half-century ago and the arduous, multibillion-dollar construction work that started in 2009, the Silver Line faced its most important challenge this week," reports Duggan.
"And the result: The Silver Line…'is ready for its close-up.'"
After this weekend's hoopla, the real business of the line will commence: "After Saturday’s opening, the next big test will come Monday morning, when the first workday rush-hour crowds show up at the new stations. Unlike Saturday and Sunday, when trains will run every 12 minutes, the Silver Line, like other lines, will operate on a rush-hour schedule from 5 a.m to 9 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, with trains every six minutes."
The article also includes a lot of interactive features about how and where the Silver Line will operate as well as more info about its expected impact on the region.
FULL STORY: Metro declares Silver Line ‘is ready for its close-up’
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