It's official: WMATA takes control of Silver Line

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) took control of the first phase of the Silver Line yesterday.

The milestone, known as the "Operational Readiness Date," marked the point where care and control of the line was formally transferred from the Washington Airports Authority to WMATA. As of yesterday, WMATA has up to 90 days for testing and training before opening the line for passenger service in summer, WMATA officials said in a press release.

WMATA's board will set the official opening date. When it opens, the line will run from the Wiehle-Reston East station to Largo Town Center, with trains operating every six minutes during rush hour and every 12 to 20 minutes at other times. Five new stations will be added to WMATA's Metrorail system: McLean, Tysons Corner, Greensboro, Spring Hill and Wiehle-Reston East.

Work also has begun on the project's second phase, which will connect Metrorail with Herndon, Washington Dulles International Airport and points in Loudoun County, Va.