The COver
Opened to the public in November 2022 , the Silver Line Rail Extension in Washington DC is one of the largest capital construction projects in the United States—including 11.4 miles of new track, six new Metrorail stations, and a 9-acre railyard with storage capacity for 168 railcars and maintenance facilities. Through May 2023, six months into its existence, more than 1.1 million trips were recorded on the new extension. At the heart of the Silver Line Rail Extension is Washington Dulles International Airport, which received all new rail connections throughout the Washington DC Capitol region. The project was spearheaded by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (MWATA), and called for the construction of six new stations—Reston Town Center, Herndon, Ashburn, Loudoun Gateway, Innovation Center, and Washington Dulles Airport. The Silver Line Extension has had a major impact on surrounding communities—with more than 420,000 people living within five miles of the new stations being afforded greater access to jobs, entertainment, shopping, and Washington Dulles International Airport. This massive capital construction project was undertaken to provide high-capacity transit service between the Dulles corridor and Downtown Washington DC and expand the reach of the existing regional rail system. A major goal of this ambitious infrastructure project—in addition to providing all new rail connections—was to ensure these connections were pedestrian friendly. To make the new rail connections pedestrian friendly, project architects called for a unique design where pedestrian bridges and tunnels connected stations to parking and terminal points. These new pedestrian spaces became a focal point during the design process, and architects set out to design “a passenger environment infused with natural light and ventilation.” To achieve this intended effect, the design included metal mesh for shading, which yielded a reduced HVAC load, fall protection, and visual interest. More than 63,00 square feet of metal mesh panels were required in all to clad the project’s bridge spans, stair infill, turnstiles, and curtain wall. For the project’s pedestrian bridge sections, mesh spans the full length and height of the pedestrian bridge, without compromising the safety and integrity of the structure.
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Fall 2024
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