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Metro

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 ›

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 …

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.

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Your Commute: Traffic Delays and Reports, Metro and Buses in Northern Virginia

Traffic information for Northern Virginia commuters, including traffic jams, delays, Metro, ART, DASH, Fairfax Connector and more. Click on the grey tabs below for more information.

Problems on your commute today? Tell other readers about it in the comment section below. Updated traffic information: Delayed Metro trains, buses and cars sitting in endless traffic on I-66 and the Beltway—even a 10-minute commute in the DC metro area can be extreme some days.  In fact, a March 2013 report from the Census Bureau shows people in the DC metro area have the second-worst commute in the country. That report came on the heels of a Texas Transportation Institute report in February that DC area commuters face the worst traffic in the country.  Patch is here to help!  Click on any of the grey tabs above to expand it and get more information about congestion, delays or other traffic alerts.  On the Metro rail map, click on any …

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Metro Expects Silver Line Riders by End of 2013

MWAA expects to complete construction in late summer and turn the rail line over to Metro.

Among a series of interesting tidbits to come from Thursday’s Committee for Dulles meeting in Ashburn was a clue about when the first passengers will be able to ride Metro’s Silver Line, a 23-mile extension of the rail system from East Falls Church to Ashburn. The project previously was broken into two phases. Phase one, from East Falls Church to Wiehle Avenue in Reston, is nearing completion as the second phase, from Wiehle to Ashburn, begins moving forward. There are really two important dates coming up for the project's first phase: completion of construction and the day passengers begin riding. “We will be completing the work in late summer,” said Marcia McAllister, a spokeswoman for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. DCMR became …

Monday, February 18, 2013

Metro Schedule for Presidents' Day 2013

Metro will operate on a Saturday schedule Monday because of the Presidents Day holiday.

Metro riders on Monday should anticipate trains running on a Saturday schedule and buses running on a "Saturday Supplemental" schedule due to the Presidents' Day holiday. Metrorail Schedule The system will open at 5 a.m. and close at midnight. Orange Line: Blue Line Red Line: Green  Line: Yellow Line: Metrobus Schedule According to a Metro news release, "Metrobus service will operate on a "Saturday Supplemental" schedule; customers should check timetables for details."

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Weekend Metro Work: Allow for 15 Minute Orange Line Delays

A look at what you need to know about Metro from Feb. 16 to 18.

Planning to head downtown via the Metro during Presidents Day weekend? Here’s what to expect. According to a Metro news release: Orange Line Blue Line Red Line Green Line

Thursday, February 14, 2013

WAMU: MWAA Members Targeted Martire, Reiley

Three allegedly worked with GOP in Virginia to oust Democrats from the organization responsible for building the Silver Line.

Three members of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Board of Directors allegedly actively worked with Republican officials in Virginia to orchestrate the removal of Mame Reiley and union supporter Dennis Martire from the board, according to a story published Wednesday on American University Radio's (WAMU 88.5) website. MWAA and its board have come under scrutiny in recent years after an audit discovered questionable practices, including sweetheart deals for former board members, questionable travel expenses and nepotism. Martire was among those named for his activities, particularly an expensive trip on behalf of the organization. The Democratic members were removed, despite the internal review of MWAA raising much broader …

Just the Facts

12:33 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013

Several board members have defended their travel and said they attended worthwhile conferences at which they marketed the Washington region to airlines and learned about an industry trying to survive in financially challenging and fiercely competitive times. The money being spent comes not from tax dollars but from concessions and passenger fees. Board members are not paid.   more ›

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Metro Seeking Public Art for Silver Line

Though Phase 2 construction has yet to begin, process is underway for art in the six future stations.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) is seeking artists to contribute public art works at Phase 2 Silver Line Metro stations, including two in Ashburn. Metro's Art in Transit Program, funded by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), will place works at six future Silver Line stations. The art  will promote transit use, enhance travel by Metro, and highlight the cultural vitality of the National Capital region, according to materials from Metro. MWAA is managing the design and construction of the Silver Line Project, the Metro extension that is set to begin operating at the end of 2013. Phase 1 of Silver Line will run from Tysons Corner to Reston's Wiehle Avenue. Phase 2, which does not yet have a …

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Bob Bruhns

6:45 pm on Thursday, January 24, 2013

Here is a link about WMATA's $26 Billion needs. Our leaders signed us up for more than they realized. Now I guess they can retire and leave the area. http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/metro-proposes-26-billion-overhaul/2013/01/23/fa31fdd4-658a-11e2-b84d-21c7b65985ee_story.html   more ›

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