The day that Loudoun County has waited decades for has finally arrived. The $3 billion Metro Silver Line extension has opened its final 11.5-mile stretch with six new stations — bringing Metro service to Dulles International Airport, Sterling and Ashburn.
A large group of dignitaries — including US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser — joined Loudoun County leaders in a ceremony held at the Dulles International Airport Metro station.
US Rep. Jennifer Wexton and Loudoun County Chair Phyllis Randall were on hand as was Dulles District Supervisor Matt Letourneau, who gave a rousing speech. Letourneau was the only remaining board member who — back in 2012 — originally voted to support Loudoun’s participation in the Silver Line. It was a 5-4 vote, he recalled.
After the speeches were given, a ceremonial ribbon was cut before a train loaded with invited guests departed for Ashburn.
Meanwhile, some 100 lucky holders of a “Silver Ticket” rode a ceremonial train trip from Reston’s Wiehle Station to Ashburn this afternoon at 1:15 p.m.
The first train trip officially open to the general public was scheduled to happen at 1:54 p.m. today when a train departs from the Silver Line’s western terminus in Ashburn headed to the eastern terminus in Largo, Maryland.
Below are more photos from this morning’s event.
Below is the moment of the official ribbon cutting and opening ceremony at Ashburn Station.
do happy this day is finally here. this will be an amazing upgrade to this already awesome area.
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