July 1, 2020
Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project
Glass Installation to Begin on Windscreen at Dulles Airport
It won't be long before 95,000 pounds of glass will be erected along the south side of the new Metrorail station facing the terminal at Washington Dulles International Airport.
All of the 162 glass panels needed for the project have arrived at the airport and will be assembled to create a 300-foot wide, 30-foot tall windscreen for the new station, creating a façade that will resemble the iconic architecture of the Eero Saarinen-designed airport terminal.
Final welding of the structural steel support framing is nearing completion, according to Stephen Barna, manager of the windscreen project in his role with the Airports Authority's Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project's Phase 2 of the Silver Line.
This week crews began putting a three-coat gray epoxy finish on the structure supporting the windscreen. The paint color, of course, is Dulles gray, the traditional color used at Dulles Airport.
Preparation for installation of the glass included the construction of 10 steel support columns and 63 intermediate purlins during the past 4 months.
Phase 2 project director Charles Stark said installation of the Dulles Station glass windscreen panels marks a major milestone for Phase 2 work.
Construction is being done by W.M. Schlosser Company of Maryland.
Erection of the glass will not require any new lane closures at the airport. All work can be done behind the jersey barriers that have been in place during construction of the steel support structure.
Completion of the windscreen is expected in September.
Preparing for the Glass Windscreen
The first of three coats of paint is being applied to the bus lane side of the Dulles Airport Metrorail Station in preparation for the installation of several glass panels that will create a large windscreen that will mimic the architecture of the Washington Dulles International Airport terminal.
Photo courtesy of Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project
Almost Done!
Crews are performing the final welding of connections for the structure that will support the glass windscreen; panels for the windscreen are set for installation later this summer.
Photo courtesy of Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project