Already a Year Behind Schedule, Testing Halted on Silver Line Phase 2 to Virginia

Construction is underway, but testing has been halted, on Phase 2 of the WMATA Silver Line, which will eventually include six stations, including one at Dulles International Airport, and will for the first time extend Metro into Loudoun County.

1 minute read

September 23, 2019, 10:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


McLean, Virginia

A Silver Line train in Virginia. | Daniel J. Macy / Shutterstock

Lori Artani reports bad news for Phase Two of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) Silver Line, after officials requested that testing of trains ceases due to safety concerns.

Construction of the new Silver Line is being managed by Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), but Capital Rail Constructors (CRC) is doing the building. The second phase of the project is already a year behind schedule. Phase One opened with four stations in Tysons and one in Reston on July 26, 2014.

"For months, MWAA and its contractors, which also include Hensel Phelps, have been grappling with a growing list of problems on the $5.8 billion project, including rail ties with too much curvature in them to meet Metro standards, defective concrete panels at several stations that must be treated with special sealant, and contamination in the ballast that supports the track in the new rail yard," according to Artani.

The latest bad news was revealed when CRC revealed that they'd been ordered by Metro to halt testing. MWAA, as Artani reports, has been sticking to positive messaging about the progress of construction on the project. Metro and MWAA are not on the same page here.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019 in The Washington Post

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

Red and white "Wildfire Evacuation Route" sign on signpost.

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions

An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

July 10 - The Markup

Protester at Echo Park Lake, Los Angeles holding sign that says "Housing is a human right"

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?

The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

July 10 - Shelterforce Magazine

Aerial of rainbow painted crosswalks at large intersection in Castro District, Sna Francisco, California.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts

Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.

July 10 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Home and Land Services Coordinator

Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners

Associate/Senior Planner

Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development

Senior Planner

Heyer Gruel & Associates PA