Silver Line starts July 26

WMATA just announced that the Silver Line will open at noon on Saturday, July 26 — just under five weeks from now.

Beginning July 20, Silver Line trains will run in “simulated service” at the same times and frequencies as they will once the line opens. People will be able to board a Silver Line train along the existing parts of its route. If they’re riding westbound, they’ll have to get off the train at East Falls Church while the train itself continues to Wiehle.

As planned, there will be more “Rush Plus”-like changes: more Yellow trains to and from Franconia, but fewer Blue trains. That’s needed to make room for the Silver trains in the Rosslyn tunnel until and unless Metro can afford to build a loop, a new terminal, or track connection to add capacity. There will also be fewer trains at West Falls Church, Dunn Loring, and Vienna, though some riders who now drive to those stations will be able to take the Silver Line.

And Tysons Corner will have four Metro stations, giving Fairfax County the chance to transform the nation’s largest “edge city” into a real walkable, urban place.