Metro Silver Line Phase 1 launch delayed again; this time until late March 2014

For Immediate Release

December 2, 2013

  

Airports Authority Announces Update

On Silver Line Phase 1 Progress

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced Monday that additional tests are needed on Phase 1 of the Silver Line, focusing on software updates related to the Automatic Train Control System, before the project can be turned over to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.   

Recent testing of the Silver Line in preparation for substantial completion has identified needed software modifications to the Automatic Train Control System. The contractor is in the process of making the changes to ensure the proper performance of the train control system. Once completed, the contractor will produce a summary of the changes made for review and approval by WMATA and the Airports Authority. This will be followed by re-testing to make sure the system is functioning properly and meets performance specifications. 

The Airports Authority is awaiting a definitive schedule from the contractor for the additional activity. The additional activity is expected to take several weeks to complete. Substantial completion of the project will be determined as results from the testing are obtained.  

"This is why we test," said Pat Nowakowski, executive director of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. "Our guiding principle throughout this process has been 'safety first' and we remain committed to that principal. We will not do anything that might compromise safety or create unsafe conditions for the traveling public."   

At the Nov. 16 meeting of the Airports Authority Board of Directors, Nowakowski reported that final testing was underway on Phase 1 of the Silver Line. Based on information available at that time, the expectation was that the contractor would declare substantial completion before the end of the month. But Nowakowski also pointed out that any problems identified during the testing could potentially delay that schedule. . . .

In an article overnight, the Washington Post reports, "passengers are unlikely to ride the line until the end of March." 

What did you expect?