Contractor Hands Over Silver Line, Moving It Closer To Passenger Service

For the first time, the Silver Line finally has a rough opening date. Or rather an opening season: D.C.'s transit agency said Thursday the delay-dogged line would open "this summer."

That's according to Metro general manager and CEO Richard Sarles, who made the announcement at an agency board meeting.

According to a new agreement, Metro is giving the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is responsible for constructing the line, more time to complete certain items.

"While there are still outstanding items for the Airports Authority and their contractor to resolve, today’s agreement allows us to move this project closer to opening day for our customers by allowing certain tasks to be completed after the project is in Metro’s control," said Richard Sarles, Metro General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. "We expect that the Airports Authority will complete the remaining items in a timely fashion, thereby allowing us to open the line this summer."

The project is seven months behind and tens of millions of dollars over budget.