Pat Nowakowski, executive director of the Dulles Corridor Rail Project, will step down to take a position with another transit agency, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announced on Wednesday.
Nowakowski has been the face of the Silver Line project as it proceeded from idea to the brink of opening.
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority CEO Jack Potter says MWAA will conduct a nationwide search for Nowakowski’s replacement.
MWAA is currently in a two-week review period after which it hopes to turn over the $2.8 billion Phase 1 of the rail line to Metro. Phase 1 will run from East Falls Church to Reston’s Wiehle Avenue.
While an opening date was never officially announced, riders were at first expected to be on the rail by December 2013. However, several construction issues — including problems with the Automatic Tracking Control System — have delayed the rail opening by several months.
MWAA on Wednesday approved the request of its Dulles Corridor Committee to pay $1.8 million to Alstom Signaling of New York to upgrade the ATC system.
Construction contractor Dulles Transit Partners on April 9 submitted the project for “substantial completion.” That was a redo of its Feb. 7 submission. MWAA found issues in 7 of 12 areas. Those issues have now been fixed, MWAA officials said.
Once the Silver Line Phase 1 is open, work will begin on Phase 2, which will run from Wiehle Avenue to Reston Parkway, Herndon and several stops in Loudoun County, including Dulles International Airport. The second phase is slated to open in 2018.
Nowakowski joined MWAA in January 2009 after a nearly 30-year career at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.
Photo of Pat Nowakowski via Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance.
Recent Stories

The Ravel Dance Studio will re-open for fall classes 2020. The school will offer in person and virtual online instruction. With over 5000 sq. ft. to social distance the school has added air ionization filtration systems, ballet barres, acrylic dividers, hands free bathrooms, strict monitoring and more.
The Ravel Dance Studio will produce a Nutcracker Ballet Hollywood style video through the Reston Community CenterStage. REGISTRATION online begins August 17.

Chris Green is one of the DMV’s finest fitness instructors. A Lululemon and South Block ambassador, he is a coach and mentor to so many. He embodies grace, positivity and motivation in ways that no one else can. If we could all learn a thing or two from him, the world would be a much better place. He does so much for others, and does so with a smile on his face 99% of the time.
He recently ruptured his Achilles and has an incredibly long and tough journey ahead. As if COVID hadn’t impacted fitness professionals enough, throw this in the mix and it’s a double, even triple whammy. CG is no longer able to work and do what he loves for the time being because of this and we’d love your support.