D.C. Metro's Silver Line Launches Passenger Service

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.