Metro Opens First Phase Of Silver Line

RESTON, Va. (AP) -- The Silver Line is open.

The long-awaited line's debut train departed the new Reston station at about noon Saturday.

The $2.9 billion first phase of the Silver Line includes five stations. The 11.7 miles of new track stretches from Reston through Tysons Corner and connects with the orange line at the East Falls Church station.

Work is just beginning on the next phase of the project, which will carry the Silver Line to Dulles International Airport and beyond, at an additional cost of $2.7 billion.

The Silver Line has been planned for decades. The project was nearly scuttled at various times as numerous roadblocks emerged in the process.

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