Silver Line: Get a Look at Wiehle-Reston East Saturday

Metro’s Silver Line opens in 11 days, but before you can take the train you have to get to the train.

Fairfax County is holding an open house Saturday to show potential Metro riders their access and parking options.

There will be a ceremonial ribbon cutting at 10 a.m. The open house runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors can tour the transportation center and talk to representatives from Metro, Dulles Corridor Rail Project and Fairfax Connector.

When Phase 1 of the Silver Line opens July 26, Wiehle-Reston East will be the only onsite parking garage at the five new Metro stations in Phase 1.

• 3,300 public parking spaces (eventually there will be fewer when office space at Reston Station is leased)
• 45 “Kiss and Ride” spaces
• 10 bus bays on the north side, 5 on the south
• A secure locker room for over 200 bicycles.

The garage was built as a public- private partnership by Comstock and Fairfax County. The county owns the commuter garage, and Metro will collect parking fees. The rates will be the same as at other Metro garages in the county:

• $4.85 per day
• $65 a month for reserved parking
• $75 a year for using the secure bike room. The $75 fee includes a one-time $15 registration fee and $60 for the first year’s annual membership.

The bike room is the first of its kind for Fairfax County. There will be both vertical and regular parking, as well as room for oversized bikes or bikes with trailers. It features two fully-equipped “fix-it” stations with pumps and tools and a work bench for bike repairs. Additional bike parking is also available for non-members.

The bus station at Wiehle-Reston East features 10 bus bays on the north side of the Toll Road, and five bus bays on the south side of the Toll Road. In addition to Fairfax Connector service, Washington Flyer will operate its Silver Line Express from the north side, and Loudoun County Transit will operate bus service from the south side.

A Connector Store is located on the north side bus platform, where passengers can purchase fare cards, speak to a customer service representative, and find maps, timetables and information.

The current commuter lot, Sunset Hills Interim Park and Ride, will permanently close at midnight on July 25. The 600-space lot at the intersection of Sunset Hills Road and Town Center Parkway was temporary parking while Wiehle was under construction.

Fairfax Connector has also changed its bus routes in order to serve the Silver Line. There will be 16 new routes, changes to 28 existing routes and five routes will be eliminated. The new routes go into effect July 26.

Also coming soon at Reston Station: BLVD apartments (currently under construction), as well as retail, restaurants, office space and a hotel. No tenants have been announced.

Photo: Bike room window at Reston Station garage