Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, July 26, 2014 Phase I Silver Line, Opening Day and Phase II progress

A week late but better late then never.

5 stations and 11.7 route miles of Phase I of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project (Silver line) opened on July 26, 2014. These 5 station and 11.7 miles bring the Metrorail system from the previous total of 106.3 miles and 86 stations to 117 miles and 91 stations.

The opening day ceremonies were conducted under a tent shortly after 10:30 AM adjacent to the Wiehle- Reston East south entrance pavilion. A ribbon cutting ceremony was conducted in front of the Wiehle- Reston East south entrance pavilion shortly before noon. An 8 car train of 7k cars made an appearance at the Wiehle- Reston East station for inspection by officials before the opening day ceremonies, the movement of the 8 car train of 7k cars was made between regularly scheduled movements of passengers carrying trains. It was returned to the yard before noon.

The 5 new stations opened their entrances a 11:30 AM, The faregates at Wiehle- Reston East were turned on before noon to allow passengers to board the first inbound train that was scheduled to depart at noon. The faregates at the 4 Tysons Corner station were turn on a noon to allow passengers to inspect the station before the first inbound passengers carrying train from Wiehle- Reston East arrived. No passengers were allowed to board trains until the first inbound train from Wiehle- Reston East arrived. No passengers were allowed to board outbound trains until the first outbound train departed the East Falls Church station. The first outbound train departed East Falls Church after the first inbound train arrived. Trains operating westbound displaying an Orange line East Falls Church destination sign simultaneously changed to Silver line trains with a Wiehle- Reston East destination sign on the fly after the first inbound Silver line train arrived at East Falls Church.

My general impression of the new stations is, meh. That’s primarily because I am a Harry Wesse, Massimo Virnelli purest. Wesse gave us the classic 22 coffered arch vault subway station with floating mezzanines and the classic gullwing platform canopy over the platforms of many surface and elevated stations along with many other unique design features exclusive to Metrorail. Massimo Virnelli gave us the iconic back lit M entrance pylon and the way finding mezzanine and platform pylons with vertical station name on them that read like title on the spline of a book.

There are many Wesse design elements that can be found in the stations, 18” granite platform edge with flashing lights that warn of approaching trains, vertical inverted V textured poured in place concrete walls, railings along the sides of the passageway and on top of the mezzanine parapets to aid the sight impaired. The only Virnelli design element that is retained is the iconic the back lit M entrance pylon, The Virnelli mezzanine and platform way finding pylons are no where to be found.

The stations interiors are not as large as one would assume them to be based on their exterior appearance. They are however considerably larger then their older brothers, The larger interiors provide more then enough room to accommodate the smooth flow of passengers through the stations.

One of the design features of the second generation Metrorail stations that opened shortly after the turn of the century that was not used in these stations is glass parapets. However the abundant use of coated sheet metal and painted steel is every where to see. Another element that was not retained from the previous generation of stations is the use of Metro brown on doors, door frames, glazing frames, station manager kiosks, faregates and other non stainless steel or bronze surfaces, the only exception being the fare vendor cabinets. Those surface along with the structural steel are coated with a light gray, the faregates are stainless steel. The floor surfaces have also been updated, the use of hexagonal quarry tile has been abandoned throughout in favor of precast concrete paveres and poured in place brushed concrete. The platforms are finished with concrete pavers that mimic the legacy hexagonal quarry tile. On the mezzanines and in entrances natural concrete color concrete pavers are used. The floor surfaces of the entrance pavilions and pedestrian bridges are finished with poured in place brushed concrete with red granite trim.

All that being said I believe it was the correct decision to build the line and station elevated though Tysons Corner. The prospective one gets from the trains and stations of the surroundings would be imposable to see if the line and stations were underground. It even gives a prospective that can’t be seen through the windshield of an automobile. The view from the trains and stations will be just as impressive after the landscape of Tysons Corner is changed to reflect the land use policies Fairfax County has envisioned for the area.

All of the stations are served by Metrobus and or Fairfax Connector and have facilitates for securing bicycles. At the Wiehle-Reston East station is a secure bike and ride facility adjacent to the north bus terminal.

The entrance pavilions are laid out in 2 different ways, the layout primarily employed, layout 1, places the elevators behind the escalators at street level with the elevators facing the escalators at the top landing, the pedestrian bridge to the fare collection mezzanine is to the right or left. Layout 1 has the pavilion placed parallel to the street or highway. The other layout employed, layout 2, again places the elevators behind the escalators to one side resulting in the elevators being to the left or right of the escalators at the top landing, in this layout the pedestrian bridge to the fare collection mezzanine is opposite of the escalators at the top landing. Layout 2 has the pavilion placed at a right angle with the entrance facing away from the street or highway. All of the entrance pavilions have provision to allow connections to the second level of a future neighboring building.

Now on to the specifics of each station.

McLean

The station is located on the north side between Scotts Crossing Road and Capitol One Drive at 1824 Dolley Madison Boulevard in McLean Virginia. The south entrance pavilion is located across the street at Dolley Madison Boulevard and Colshire Drive.

The island platform station has its fare collection mezzanine under the platform at a level above street level. A pedestrian bridges connects the south entrance pavilion to the mezzanine. The station has 6 escalator, 6 elevators and 6 sets of stairs. 2 of the stairs are for emergence exit only and are located in the ancillary structures at both ends of the platforms. The fare collection mezzanine is under the center and east half of the platform above.

The south, layout 1, entrance pavilion has 1 set of stairs between 2 escalators and 2 elevators and connects to the fare collection mezzanine at its east end. Adjacent to the entrance pavilion is a taxi stand, Kiss and Ride drop off and pickup area and a small short term parking lot. 3 curb side bus bays are located along Colshire Drive adjacent to the Kiss and Ride drop off and pickup area. The entrance to the drop off and pickup and parking lot is on Colshire Meadow Drive.

The entrance under the station is near the east end with 2 elevators to right and 1 set of stairs between 2 escalators to the left. There are 2 curb side bus bays along Dolley Madison Boulevard in front of the station.

The mezzanine has an opening in it that look like it could accommodate another set of escalators and stair. The station managers kiosk and faregates are located at roughly mid point of the mezzanine. The 2 mezzanine to platform elevators are just inside the faregates with the 2 sets of mezzanine to platform escalator and stair pairs beyond.

Tysons Corner

The station is located on the north side above Tysons Boulevard at 1943 Chain Bridge Road in McLean Virginia. The south entrance pavilion is located across the street at Dolley Madison Boulevard and Tysons One Place.

The island platform station has its fare collection mezzanine above the platform. A pedestrian bridges connects the south entrance pavilion to the mezzanine. The station has 8 escalator, 6 elevators and 6 sets of stairs. 2 of the stairs are for emergence exit only and are located in the ancillary structures at both ends of the platforms.

The fare collection mezzanine is above the west third of the platform above and extends a few feet west of the end of the platform.

The south, layout 1, entrance pavilion has 1 set of stairs between 2 escalators and 2 elevators and connects to the fare collection mezzanine at its west end. The south entrance pavilion also connects to Tysons Tower Development. 3 off street bus bays are located adjacent to the entrance pavilion.

The entrance under the station is at the west end with 2 escalators ascending to the west to an intermediate level then another 2 escalators ascending to the east the remainder of the way to the mezzanine. To the right are 2 elevators with a fire escape type stair case to the mezzanine. 3 off street bus bays are located along Tysons Boulevard in front of the entrance.

East of the escalators, elevators, stairs and pedestrian bridge to the south entrance pavilion are the fare media venders. The station managers kiosk and faregates are located at roughly mid point of the mezzanine. The 2 mezzanine to platform elevators are just inside the faregates with the 2 sets of mezzanine to platform escalator and stair pairs beyond. The structural steel that supports the east end of the mezzanine look like it could support an extension of the mezzanine to allow foe a third escalator and stair pair.

A #10 double crossover is located beyond the west end of the station. The tunnel portals are just west of double crossover with ventilation structure located just beyond the portals along with an set of emergence exit stairs.

Greensboro

The station is located at 8305 Leesburg Pike Vienna Virginia in the median. The south entrance pavilion is located on the south side of Leesburg Pike east of Marshells Way. The north entrance pavilion is located on the north side of Leesburg Pike west of Pinnacle Drive.

The island platform station has its fare collection mezzanine above the platform. Pedestrian bridges connect the both entrance pavilions to the mezzanine. The station has 4 escalator, 6 elevators and 7 set of stairs. 1 of the stairs are for emergence exit only and are located at the east end of the east ancillary structures.

The south, layout 1, entrance pavilion has 2 set of stairs, 1 escalator and 2 elevators and connects to the fare collection mezzanine at its north end. The north, layout 2, entrance pavilion has 2 set of stairs, 1 escalator and 2 elevators and connects to the fare collection mezzanine at its south end. Both entrance pavilions have provision to replace one of the sets of stairs with an escalator.

The fare collection mezzanine is above the east third of the platform above. The fare venders are at the east end of the mezzanine against the end wall at the point where the pedestrian bridges connect to the mezzanine with the the station managers kiosk and faregates located to the west. The 2 mezzanine to platform elevators are just inside the faregates with the 2 sets of mezzanine to platform escalator and stair pairs beyond. The structural steel that supports the east end of the mezzanine look like it could support an extension of the mezzanine to allow for a third escalator and stair pair.

Spring Hill

The station is located at 1576 Spring Hill Road Vienna Virginia in the in the median of Leesburg Pike. The south entrance pavilion is located on the south side of Leesburg Pike west of Spring Hill Road. The north entrance pavilion is located on the north side of Leesburg Pike west of Spring Hill Road..

The island platform station has its fare collection mezzanine under the platform at a level above street level. The pedestrian bridges connects both entrance pavilion to the mezzanine. The station has 5 escalator, 6 elevators and 7 sets of stairs. 2 of the stairs are for emergence exit only and are located in the ancillary structures at both ends of the platforms. The fare collection mezzanine is under the east half of the platform above.

The south, layout 1, entrance pavilion has 2 set of stairs, 1 escalator and 2 elevators and connects to the fare collection mezzanine at its north side. The north, layout 2, entrance pavilion has 2 set of stairs and 1 escalator and 2 elevators and connects to the fare collection mezzanine at its south end. The south entrance pavilions has provision to replace one of the sets of stairs with an escalator. Adjacent to the north entrance pavilion is a taxi stand, Kiss and Ride drop off and pickup area and a small short term parking lot. 5 curb side bus bays are located along Leesburg Pike west of the north entrance pavilion. The entrance to the drop off and pickup and parking lot is only accessible from the southbound lanes of Spring Hill Road north of Leesburg Pike.

The fare collection mezzanine is below the east third of the platform above. The fare venders are at the east end of the mezzanine against the end wall at the point ware the pedestrian bridges connect to the mezzanine with the the station managers kiosk and faregates located to the west. The 2 mezzanine to platform elevators are just inside the faregates with the 2 sets of mezzanine to platform escalator and stair pairs beyond.

Wiehle-Reston East

The station is located at 1862 Wiehle Avenue Reston Virginia in the median of the Dulles Access Road. The south entrance pavilion is located behind 11400 Commerce Park Drive next to the exit to Wiehle Avenue from the eastbound Dulles Toll Road. The north entrance is located on the south side of the plaza at 11325 Reston Station Boulevard.

The island platform station has its fare collection mezzanine above the platform. The pedestrian bridges connects both entrances to the mezzanine. The station has 4 escalator, 4 elevators and 3 sets of stairs. The fare collection mezzanine is above the east half of the platform.

The south, layout 1, entrance entrance has 1 set of stairs, 2 escalator and 2 elevators and connects to the fare collection mezzanine at its east end. Adjacent to the south entrance pavilion on the eastbound exit ramp is 4 bus bays. The north entrance has no pavilion, as the pedestrian bridge is at same level as the plaza at Reston Station. At the middle of the plaza is a pavilion with 2 escalator and 2 elevators that access the underground 9 bay bus terminal and 3,500 space parking garage. The escalator access the bus terminal, Th elevators access the bus terminal and the 5 level of the parking garage.

At the west end of the platform is a dispatcher office and train crew room. Beyond the station is a pocket track for turning trains an a tail track for storing out of service trains.

Phase II Progress

Principle construction has begun on Phase II along Autopilot Drive at Dulles Airport. The contractor there is excavating the column piles for the elevated along Autopilot Drive. The trees on the site of the Dulles Airport station have been removed and transplanted elsewhere at the airport in preparation for construction of the of the station. No construction activity has begun at the sites of the other stations.

Test track and Commissioning Facility

The new Commissioning Facility building and parking garage in Greenbelt Yard appear to be nearly complete. Grading to prepare for the roadbed on the test track is being done south of Greenbelt Road.

Amended 08 06 2014.

East Falls Church station.:

East Falls Church station.
Train on left is first inbound train from Wiehle- Reston East.
Train on left is first outbound train to Wiehle- Reston East.

Opening day penning.

VA I-66 Flyover:

Inbound from Wiehle- Reston East track N1.		Inbound from Vienna track K1.		Outbound to Vienna track K2.
		Outbound to Wiehle- Reston East track N2.

McLean Station:

Inbound track N1 McLean station.	South entrance pavilion McLean station.	South entrance pavilion pylon McLean station.
South entrance pavilion McLean station.	South entrance pavilion McLean station.	South entrance pavilion McLean station.
North end of pedestrian bridge to entrance pavilion McLean station.	South entrance pavilion McLean station.	South end of pedestrian bridge to entrance pavilion McLean station.
North end of pedestrian bridge McLean station.	Entrance elevators McLean station.	Entrance escalators to mezzanine McLean station.
Entrance pylon in front of McLean station.	Entrance pylon in front of McLean station,	Looking east from entrance elevators McLean station.
Entrance elevators McLean station.	Entrance to mezzanine escalators McLean Station.	East end of mezzanine McLean station.
Station managers kiosk and faregates McLean station.	Station managers kiosk and faregates McLean station.	Mezzanine to platform escalator and stair McLean station.
Advertizing poster on mezzanine McLean station.	Mezzanine to platform escalator and elevators McLean station.	Mezzanine to platform elevators McLean station.
Mezzanine to platform escalator and stair McLean station.	Outbound track N2 McLean Station.	Platform to mezzanine elevators McLean station.
Mezzanine to platform elevators McLean station.	Emergency evacuation cart cabinet and east emergency exit stair structure McLean Station.	Mezzanine to platform escalator and stair McLean station.
Platform passenger shelter McLean Station.	Outbound track N2 McLean Station.	Outbound track N2 McLean Station.
Inbound track N1 McLean Station.	Train on inbound track N1 McLean Station.	Outbound track N2 McLean Station.
West end of platform canopy McLean Station.	Passenger shelter west end McLean Station.	Train on inbound Track N1 west of McLean Station.
Outbound track N2 west of McLean Station.	Way finding sign inbound track N1 west end McLean Station.	Way finding sign outbound track N2 west end McLean Station.

Tysons Corner Station:

South entrance pavilion pylon Tysons Corner station.	South entrance pavilion,	South entrance pavilion Tysons Corner station.
South entrance pavilion Tysons Corner station.	South end of pedestrian bridge to entrance pavilion Tysons Corner station.	South entrance pavilion Tysons Corner station.
Pedestrian bridge from entrance pavilion Tysons Corner station.	South end of pedestrian bridge from entrance pavilion Tysons Corner station.	South end of pedestrian bridge at entrance pavilion Tysons Corner station.
South pedestrian bridge Tysons Corner station.	Entrance pavilion pylon under station Tysons Corner station.	Plaza at entrance under station Tysons Corner station.
Entrance under station Tysons Corner station.	Entrance elevators and stairs to mezzanine Tysons Corner station. ,	Lower set of entrance escalators to mezzanine under Tysons Corner station.
Lower set of entrance to mezzanine escalators under Tysons Corner station.	Upper set of entrance to to mezzanine mezzanine escalators under Tysons Corner station.	Upper set of entrance to mezzanine escalators under Tysons Corner station.
Upper set of entrance to mezzanine escalators Tysons Corner station.	Mezzanine outside of faregates Tysons Corner station.	Mezzanine outside of faregates Tysons Corner station.
Faregates and station managers kiosk Tysons Corner station.	Mezzanine to platform elevators Tysons Corner station.	Mezzanine to platform elevators Tysons Corner station.
Mezzanine to platform elevators Tysons Corner station.	Outbound track N2 Tysons Corner station.	Outbound track N2 west end Tysons Corner station.
Inbound track N1 west end Tysons Corner station.	Inbound track N1 Tysons Corner station.	East end Tysons Corner station.
Platform to mezzanine elevators Tysons Corner station.	Platform to mezzanine escalator and stair Tysons Corner station.	Platform to mezzanine escalator and stair Tysons Corner station.
South entrance pavilion and pedestrian bridges Tysons Corner station.	Mezzanine and platform canopy Tysons Corner station.	Mezzanine and platform canopy Tysons Corner station.
East end Tysons Corner station.	East end track N1 Tysons Corner station.	East end track N2 Tysons Corner station.
Way finding sign inbound track N1 west end Tysons Corner station.		Way finding sign outbound track N2 east end Tysons Corner station.

Greensboro Station:

South entrance pavilion Greensboro station.	South entrance pavilion Greensboro station.	South entrance pavilion Greensboro station.
Pedestrian bridge at entrance pavilion Greensboro station.	South entrance pavilion Greensboro station.	Pedestrian bridge to north entrance pavilion Greensboro station.
North entrance pavilion Greensboro station.	North entrance pavilion Greensboro station.	North entrance pavilion Greensboro station.
Pedestrian bridge from north entrance pavilion Greensboro station.	Restrooms Greensboro station.	Elevator, escalators and stairs.
Station managers kiosk and faregates Greensboro station.	Mezzanine to platform elevators Greensboro station.	Mezzanine to platform escalator and stair Greensboro station.
Mezzanine to platform escalator and stair Greensboro station.	West end of Greensboro station.	Outbound track N2 Greensboro station.
Platform to mezzanine escalator and stair Greensboro station.	Platform to mezzanine escalator and stair Greensboro station.	Inbound track N1 Greensboro station.
Platform to mezzanine elevators Greensboro station,	Traction power cross bond cables and WEE-Z bond track N2 east end Greensboro station.	WEE-Z bond track N2 east end Greensboro station.
Inbound track N1 east end Greensboro station.	Mezzanine and platform canopy Greensboro station.	Mezzanine and platform canopy Greensboro station.
Inbound track N1 east end Greensboro station.	Outbound track N2 Greensboro station.	Way finding sign outbound track N2 west end Greensboro station.
	Way finding sign inbound track N1 west end Greensboro station.

Spring Hill Station:

South entrance pavilion pylon Spring Hill,	South entrance pavilion Spring Hill.	Pedestrian bridge to south entrance pavilion Spring Hill.
South entrance pavilion Spring Hill.	South entrance pavilion Spring Hill.	North entrance pavilion pylon Spring Hill.
North entrance pavilion Spring Hill.	North entrance pavilion Spring Hill.	North entrance pavilion Spring Hill.>,
North entrance pavilion Spring Hill.	North entrance pavilion Spring Hill.	Pedestrian bridge from north entrance pavilion Spring Hill.
Pedestrian bridge from north entrance pavilion Spring Hill.	Pedestrian bridge at north entrance pavilion Spring Hill.	Station managers kiosk and faregates Spring Hill.
Station managers kiosk and faregates Spring Hill.	Station managers kiosk and faregates Spring Hill.	Mezzanine to platform escalator and stair Spring Hill.
Mezzanine to platform escalator and elevators Spring Hill.	Mezzanine to platform escalator and elevators Spring Hill.	Mezzanine to platform escalator and stair Spring Hill.
Emergency exit east and emergency evacuation cart cabinets east end Spring Hill.	Emergency exit east end Spring Hill.	East end outbound track N2 Spring Hill.
Platform to mezzanine to elevator Spring Hill.	Platform to mezzanine to elevators Spring Hill.	East end of platform canopy Spring Hill.
East end of platform canopy and passenger shelter Spring Hill.	West end of platform canopy Spring Hill.	West end of platform canopy and passenger shelter Spring Hill.
West end of platform canopy Spring Hill.	Fire equipment cabinet and emergency exit west end of Spring Hill.	Way finding sign inbound track N1 west end of Spring Hill.
Way finding sign outbound track N2 west end of Spring Hill.	Rear end of 7k car 8 train outbound track N2 Spring Hill.	Front end of 7k car 8 train outbound tack N2 Spring Hill.
	7k car 8 train tack N2 west of Spring Hill.

Wiehle-Reston East Station:

South entrance pavilion pylon Wiehle-Reston East station.	South entrance pavilion Wiehle-Reston East station.	South entrance pavilion Wiehle-Reston East station.
South entrance pavilion Wiehle-Reston East station.	South entrance pavilion Wiehle-Reston East station.	South entrance pavilion Wiehle-Reston East station.
Pedestrian bridge to south entrance pavilion Wiehle-Reston East station.	South end of pedestrian bridge at entrance pavilion Wiehle-Reston East station.	North entrance pylon Wiehle-Reston East station.
North end of south pedestrian bridge Wiehle-Reston East station.	South entrance pavilion Wiehle-Reston East station.	North end of north pedestrian bridge Wiehle-Reston East station.
North end of north pedestrian bridge Wiehle-Reston East station.	North pedestrian bridge Wiehle-Reston East station.	South end of north pedestrian bridge Wiehle-Reston East station.
South end of north pedestrian bridge Wiehle-Reston East station.	Fare media vendors east end of mezzanine Wiehle-Reston East station.	Mezzanine to platform elevators Wiehle-Reston East station.
Mezzanine to platform elevators Wiehle-Reston East station.	Mezzanine to platform elevators Wiehle-Reston East station.	Mezzanine canopy over inbound track N1 Wiehle-Reston East station.
Mezzanine to platform escalator and stair Wiehle-Reston East station.	Inbound tail track N1 west end Wiehle-Reston East station.	Outbound tail track N2 west end Wiehle-Reston East station.
Platform to mezzanine to elevator Wiehle-Reston East station.	Platform to mezzanine escalator and stair Wiehle-Reston East station.	Platform to mezzanine escalator and stair Wiehle-Reston East station.
Emergency evacuation cart cabinet east end Wiehle-Reston East station.	Outbound tail track N2 west end Wiehle-Reston East station.	Inbound track N1 east end Wiehle-Reston East station.
Outbound track N2 Wiehle-Reston East station.	Mezzanine canopy Wiehle-Reston East station.	Inbound tail track N1 west end Wiehle-Reston East station.
Way finding sign inbound track N1 west end Wiehle-Reston East station.	Way finding sign outbound track N2 west end Wiehle-Reston East station.	Inbound tail track N1 Wiehle-Reston East station.
	Inbound tail track N1 Wiehle-Reston East station.

Dulles Airport:

Site of east end of Dulles Airport station.	Site of west end of Dulles Airport station.	Column shaft Autopilot Drive at Hertz Way.
Column shaft Autopilot Drive at Hertz Way.	Rebar cage Autopilot Drive at Hertz Way.	Autopilot Drive south of Materials Road.
	Column rebar assembly area Autopilot Drive north of Materials Road.