Metrorail’s Silver Line opened for business July 26 and the DowntownDC BID was along for the celebrated inaugural ride.
After many years of planning and construction, areas of Virginia for the first time last month were directly connected to the region’s major transportation system through five new stations: McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill and Wiehle-Reston East.
On opening day at noon, Metro held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the northernmost station, Wiehle-Reston East. U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray and D.C. City Council member Muriel Bowser were among the officials in attendance for the ceremony and then joined more than 500 attendees to board the very first trains carrying passengers east through Downtown.
Passengers were afforded new views of Tysons Corner and other major areas as they traveled via metro and saw the new stations open for business for the first time.
The Silver Line not only enables D.C. residents to commute to and shop in areas surrounding Tysons Corner, but it expands access for Virginia residents and workers to DowntownDC, where retail is currently booming, restaurants are expanding and cultural and entertainment destinations are today ubiquitous. Increasing mass transportation also reduces automobile usage and supports the environment.
July’s opening marked the first phase of the Silver Line. In the future, the route will be extended to Dulles International Airport.
The DowntownDC BID has a long history of actively supporting the expansion of Metrorail. Following the opening of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the BID, along with leading business organizations and city leaders, helped lead an effort to extend weekend hours from midnight to 1 a.m. to accommodate events. In 2007, the BID was involved in efforts to expand weekend closing times to 3 a.m. in direct response to the increase in nightlife in Downtown.
[Learn more about BID Initiatives here]
The BID supports Metrorail as one of several sustainable transportation options available for Downtown residents, workers and visitors.