The Future of Dulles Airport [and Metro line]
Aug 21, 2019, 12:40 pm
#316
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 40
Aug 25, 2019, 10:54 am
#317
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: D/FW, TX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 428
I'd say that's pretty close. I live near Courthouse and work at L'Enfant plaza. It's about 15 minutes on the metro for me.
I feel like an hour isn't really that bad considering. I drove from my apartment to Ashburn during the middle of the morning (with very little traffic) and it took me a solid 45+ minutes. I have a feeling driving to Dulles at rush hour would be twice as long of more. I'd MUCH rather ride a train for an hour that sit in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour. FWIW I lived in downtown Chicago for a while and the blue line to ORD was about 30-45 minutes.
While I'm at it... How long does the current Train/Bus combo take to get to IAD?
I feel like an hour isn't really that bad considering. I drove from my apartment to Ashburn during the middle of the morning (with very little traffic) and it took me a solid 45+ minutes. I have a feeling driving to Dulles at rush hour would be twice as long of more. I'd MUCH rather ride a train for an hour that sit in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour. FWIW I lived in downtown Chicago for a while and the blue line to ORD was about 30-45 minutes.
While I'm at it... How long does the current Train/Bus combo take to get to IAD?
Aug 26, 2019, 8:25 pm
#318
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DCA, IAD (not BWI if I can help it)
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, status-free on AA, AS, B6, DL, WN, Amtrak, etc.
Posts: 1,481
That bus runs every 20 minutes except for 6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. weekdays, so most of the time you want to get on a train that will arrive at Wiehle at 15, 35, or 55 minutes after the hour. The MetroHero app is essential for that, since it pulls train position, speed and ETA data from WMATA's proprietary API; you can check that from home, then leave so you only wait a minute in the station and then can walk at a normal pace from Wiehle over to the bus platform, on the lowest level of the parking structure there.
Having the Silver Line open all the way to IAD will eliminate that transfer uncertainty, not to mention the $5 Silver Line Express fare that you can't put on a Metro SmarTrip card. The final environmental-impact statement estimates travel time from Rosslyn to IAD at 43 minutes, while today Rosslyn to Wiehle is a 32-minute ride, so add 11 minutes to your current ride to Wiehle.
Aug 27, 2019, 3:14 pm
#319
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: D/FW, TX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 428
The best I've done is 52 minutes from my house to IAD, counting a 10-minute walk to the Clarendon Metro, the 27-ish minute ride from there to the Wiehle-Reston East station, and then booking it from the train to the Silver Line Express bus and its 10-minute ride to Dulles. An hour is more typical. In your case, add two minutes for Metro travel time to Clarendon and adjust walk-to-Metro time as needed.
That bus runs every 20 minutes except for 6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. weekdays, so most of the time you want to get on a train that will arrive at Wiehle at 15, 35, or 55 minutes after the hour. The MetroHero app is essential for that, since it pulls train position, speed and ETA data from WMATA's proprietary API; you can check that from home, then leave so you only wait a minute in the station and then can walk at a normal pace from Wiehle over to the bus platform, on the lowest level of the parking structure there.
Having the Silver Line open all the way to IAD will eliminate that transfer uncertainty, not to mention the $5 Silver Line Express fare that you can't put on a Metro SmarTrip card. The final environmental-impact statement estimates travel time from Rosslyn to IAD at 43 minutes, while today Rosslyn to Wiehle is a 32-minute ride, so add 11 minutes to your current ride to Wiehle.
That bus runs every 20 minutes except for 6-9 a.m. and 3-7 p.m. weekdays, so most of the time you want to get on a train that will arrive at Wiehle at 15, 35, or 55 minutes after the hour. The MetroHero app is essential for that, since it pulls train position, speed and ETA data from WMATA's proprietary API; you can check that from home, then leave so you only wait a minute in the station and then can walk at a normal pace from Wiehle over to the bus platform, on the lowest level of the parking structure there.
Having the Silver Line open all the way to IAD will eliminate that transfer uncertainty, not to mention the $5 Silver Line Express fare that you can't put on a Metro SmarTrip card. The final environmental-impact statement estimates travel time from Rosslyn to IAD at 43 minutes, while today Rosslyn to Wiehle is a 32-minute ride, so add 11 minutes to your current ride to Wiehle.
Sep 2, 2019, 9:41 pm
#320
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
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i currently live in Alexandria and have gone to Dulles. The bus is 15 min. Metro likely 20 to Reston.
Sep 2, 2019, 9:56 pm
#321
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
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Posts: 8,735
BART has gone out farther into the suburbs. DC metro has more commuter trains from farther out areas.
on VA side you have commuter trains from Fredericksburg and manassas. Fredericksburg is same distance as San Jose. On Maryland..there are 2 train lines parallel 95 to Baltimore. And another thst run from martinsburg, WV to Frederick to DC and this has 2 different routes. Martinsburg is about the same as Sacramento in distance
in the future another line is going to open that is the first suburb to suburb line in Maryland outside the beltway.
the area seemed to not do a good job of long term planning. Had theyfrom the start they could have built lines to reach 10 miles outside the beltway. Now it’s very cost prohibitive to do this.
Sep 7, 2019, 4:28 am
#322
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 191
Not so good news In the Washington Post yesterday - is this turning into a Silver Springs?
In management alerts issued Friday, Metro Inspector General Geoffrey A. Cherrington said a sealant being applied to prevent water from seeping into hundreds of defective concrete panels may not be working. A sampling of sealant already in place found it was not working in all cases, leaving some panels vulnerable to cracking. Unless the panels are replaced or the contractor comes up with another solution, Metro should not accept the work, he advised.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local...003_story.html
In management alerts issued Friday, Metro Inspector General Geoffrey A. Cherrington said a sealant being applied to prevent water from seeping into hundreds of defective concrete panels may not be working. A sampling of sealant already in place found it was not working in all cases, leaving some panels vulnerable to cracking. Unless the panels are replaced or the contractor comes up with another solution, Metro should not accept the work, he advised.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local...003_story.html
Sep 15, 2019, 8:54 am
#323
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Hebron Maryland
Posts: 83
"djp98374"
its just about identical..same design company. The difference is in the modernization of systems.
The two systems are far from identical. Track gauge different, car length different, maximum train length different, signaling and train control different, third rail voltage different, performance profiles different.
Yes a number of contractors from engineering to construction to rolling stock worked on both but the basic specifications they designed and built to were different.
in the future another line is going to open that is the first suburb to suburb line in Maryland outside the beltway.
Light rail; design, build, operate franchise contract with the Maryland Transit Administration. Not part of Metrorail.
its just about identical..same design company. The difference is in the modernization of systems.
The two systems are far from identical. Track gauge different, car length different, maximum train length different, signaling and train control different, third rail voltage different, performance profiles different.
Yes a number of contractors from engineering to construction to rolling stock worked on both but the basic specifications they designed and built to were different.
in the future another line is going to open that is the first suburb to suburb line in Maryland outside the beltway.
Light rail; design, build, operate franchise contract with the Maryland Transit Administration. Not part of Metrorail.
Last edited by SandBoxJohn; Sep 16, 2019 at 1:15 pm
Nov 24, 2019, 1:02 pm
#324
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DCA, IAD (not BWI if I can help it)
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, status-free on AA, AS, B6, DL, WN, Amtrak, etc.
Posts: 1,481
Metro to IAD by September 2020, perhaps
The Post, WTOP and WAMU all have WMATA saying Phase 2 of the Silver Line to IAD and beyond can open in September 2020, while the latter two report MWAA says it will reach substantial completion in April, allowing for a July opening. The major variable left is whether Metro will accept Phase 2 contractor Capital Rail Constructors' proposed long-term maintenance remedy for the flawed precast concrete panels at some of the stations--reapplying a protective sealant every five to seven years--or insist on having them replaced. Metro is awaiting a report from its inspector general about that.
(Background reading: presentations from MWAA and Capital Rail Constructors from the airport authority's Nov. 20 board meeting, plus one from WMATA from its Nov. 21 board meeting.)
What I don't know is how long that replacement might take. I feel dirty playing armchair civil engineer, but if WMATA could rebuild entire platforms on the Blue/Yellow line this summer in three months and change, why not get this over with now, when there's no service to disrupt? But the better question might be, why didn't MWAA insist on having those panels replaced when they started discovering this problem two years ago?
(Background reading: presentations from MWAA and Capital Rail Constructors from the airport authority's Nov. 20 board meeting, plus one from WMATA from its Nov. 21 board meeting.)
What I don't know is how long that replacement might take. I feel dirty playing armchair civil engineer, but if WMATA could rebuild entire platforms on the Blue/Yellow line this summer in three months and change, why not get this over with now, when there's no service to disrupt? But the better question might be, why didn't MWAA insist on having those panels replaced when they started discovering this problem two years ago?
Mar 24, 2020, 12:17 pm
#325
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Hebron Maryland
Posts: 83
Wiehle tie-in: How the Silver Line got held up . . .
Max Smith
WTOP 103.5 FM
03 23 2020 15:50 EDT
. . . Or how bean counter got in the way of engineers trying to do their jobs.
Max Smith
WTOP 103.5 FM
03 23 2020 15:50 EDT
. . . Or how bean counter got in the way of engineers trying to do their jobs.
Apr 16, 2020, 10:33 am
#326
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: DCA, IAD (not BWI if I can help it)
Programs: UA 1MM 1K, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Explorist, status-free on AA, AS, B6, DL, WN, Amtrak, etc.
Posts: 1,481
One small bit of good news coming out of this accursed pandemic: MWAA and WMATA seem to agree on a way to speed up the opening of the Silver Line Phase 2. WTOP's Max Smith tuned into yesterday's MWAA board meeting and noted that the two agencies not only have resolved their differences over out-of-compliance switches but are ready to expedite testing of the ATC software on the extension by taking advantage of near-zero ridership and shutting down the Wiehle-Reston East station for continuous testing. From Smith's post:
The concrete panels didn't come up during the meeting (I watched it online too, because I have no life), so I don't know where MWAA and WMATA stand on those.
If any of you all will be at IAD anytime soon, the next thing to watch in terms of Silver Line progress should be the installation of giant glass screens on the Saarinen Circle side of the Metro station.
For further reading:
Metro, which will run the extension, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, which is responsible for building it, now have documentation in hand and plan to have joint meetings next week to resolve any remaining issues so that testing can move forward, Airports Authority Vice President Charles Stark said Wednesday.
“The best part of that situation is that due to the extreme lack of ridership at Wiehle Ave., the ridership is down to approximately 350 people a day. WMATA is favorably looking at doing a complete shutdown for two to three weeks instead of 15 to 16 weekend shutdowns. This will really increase the efficiency of the testing and get it done much earlier in the project,” Stark said.
“The best part of that situation is that due to the extreme lack of ridership at Wiehle Ave., the ridership is down to approximately 350 people a day. WMATA is favorably looking at doing a complete shutdown for two to three weeks instead of 15 to 16 weekend shutdowns. This will really increase the efficiency of the testing and get it done much earlier in the project,” Stark said.
If any of you all will be at IAD anytime soon, the next thing to watch in terms of Silver Line progress should be the installation of giant glass screens on the Saarinen Circle side of the Metro station.
For further reading:
- the Silver Line Phase 2 presentation from the meeting
- MWAA wants to replace the Mobile Lounges and Plane-Mates with battery-electric versions
Apr 16, 2020, 1:27 pm
#327
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: WAS
Programs: enjoyed being warm spit for a few years on CO/UA but now nothing :(
Posts: 2,507
The guys at the Mobile Lounge shop do an impressive job maintaining these people-movers - they have to fabricate almost every single thing on the vehicles - that they personify that expression of "...we are now qualified to do anything with nothing..."
Jul 9, 2020, 7:52 am
#328
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Hebron Maryland
Posts: 83
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
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
Jul 9, 2020, 8:20 am
#329
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: TOA
Programs: HH Diamond, Marriott LTPP/Platinum Premier, Hyatt Lame-ist, UA !K
Posts: 20,061
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
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
David