The contractor responsible for building the Silver Line Metro extension could face large fines if the work is not completed by April.

Dulles Transit Partners told the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority on Feb. 7 that it had reached “substantial completion” on Phase 1 of the Silver Line, which will run from East Falls Church to Reston’s Wiehle Avenue.

However, MWAA completed a 15-day review last week and found issues in 7 of 12 areas, ranging from leaks to problems with the automatic train control system. DTP is correcting the issues. It is not known how long that will take, but it is likely to delay the project’s turnover to Metro, which will in turn delay the rail’s opening date for the third time in the last few months.

The Washington Post reports that DTP’s contract states the contractor must finish the work within seven months of the agreed upon completion date of Sept. 9, 2013 — or face fines in the millions.

If the work is not finished within that time, starting roughly April 10, DTP would face a $25,000-a-day penalty until the work is done, the Post reports. If the project is not completed 92 days after that April date, the contractor would have to pay roughly $2.3 million in fines, plus an additional $75,000 a day.

Ultimately, if the project is delayed more than six months from that April date, DTP could be required to pay more than $9 million total. Under the terms of the contract, the payments are capped at $60 million.

Also in the contract, a financial incentive: Had DTP completed the project earlier than scheduled, it could have earned up to $10 million in rewards.

When MWAA certifies that the issues are repaired, the project will be turned over to Metro, which has 90 days to complete its own testing.

The latest delay is one of several, though Metro and MWAA officials have never given a firm opening date for the Silver Line. It is now expected that the Silver Line will not open until summer 2014.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority said on Monday that the Silver Line is not ready to turn over to Metro for final testing.

After a two-week review period in which MWAA checked the work of its contractor, Dulles Transit Authority Partners, MWAA said 7 of 12 areas were deemed deficient.

From MWAA:

Examples of problem areas include:

• Failure to deliver certificates of occupancy for almost 20 wayside buildings, including stations, power substations and the tunnel;
• Performance issues with the Automatic Train Control System that prevent WMATA from beginning Operational Readiness Testing;
•  Failure to fully correct defects that impact operations, including track gage problems;
• Elevator and escalator problems, and water leaks in buildings;
• Incomplete documentation for testing requirements and safety/security verifications.

This could mean more delays as DTP goes back and makes the corrections. DTP had announced in early February it had reached “substantial” completion of the Silver Line.

An exact opening date for the Metrorail extension was never announced, leaving leeway for problems such as this. It is not known how long it will take DTP to make the corrections.

Phase 1 of the Silver Line, which will run from East Falls Church to Reston’s Wiehle Avenue, was originally estimated for turnover in August for a December 2013 opening. Last spring, that was moved to a November turnover. In January, the project was delayed further while problems with the Automatic Train Control System were addressed.

After the turnover to Metro, the rail line has an additional 90 days to do more testing.

The Airports Authority says it has instructed DTP to provide a plan and date of conclusion for addressing the outstanding items as quickly as possible.

“We will work closely with DTP, WMATA and our other partners to monitor progress and assure that all contractual obligations are satisfied,” a MWAA spokesman said.

During the 90-day period, the Tri-State Oversight Committee and the Federal Transit Administration will conduct reviews, says MWAA.

Reston residents could have a clearer picture next week of when they can begin riding Metro’s Silver Line.

Pat Nowakowski, executive director of the Dulles Metrorail Project, tells WTOP that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority will announce on Monday its findings from the 15-day review period in which MWAA would  determine whether the rail is ready for the next phase — and a possible opening date.

The contractor that built the Silver Line Phase 1, which will run from Falls Church to Reston’s Wiehle Avenue, said Feb. 7 that it had reached “substantial completion” and was ready to turn the rail over to Metro for further testing and readying for opening.

Once the project is turned over to Metro, it should open within 90 days, though several officials said they do not think Metro will need that big of a window for testing.

The project, which reportedly loses $2 million each month the rail is not open, has already had significant delays. MWAA officials originally estimated at December 2013 opening based on an August handoff. Last summer, that was extended to early in 2014. In November, it was discovered that tracking software needed to be re-tested.  

Wiehle-Reston East will be the terminus for the rail line for at least five years. Phase 2 of the Silver Line, expected to be completed about 2018, will run from Wiehle to Reston Parkway and Herndon Monroe, then to Dulles International Airport and into Loudoun County.

In other transportation news, the Northern Virginia Congressional delegation announced on Friday that it has been given the U.S. Department of Transportation’s TIFIA Credit Council’s preliminary approval to move forward on a nearly $1.9 billion federal loan, representing about one-third of the total cost of the Silver Line Phase 2.

With that funding, the burden would likely be taken off Dulles Toll Road users to help pay for the project.

This is very positive sign and will go a long way toward helping keep tolls down on the Dulles Toll Road,” Rep. Frank Wolf said.  “It shows the federal government’s continued support for and commitment to this project.

Metro’s Silver Line moved a step closer to its first passengers Friday when the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority, responsible for building the rail extension, said its contractor has reached “substantial completion” and is ready to turn the project over to Metro.

There is still no official opening date for the rail extension, which will run from Falls Church to Reston’s Wiehle Avenue.

“Dulles Transit Partners (DTP), the contractor building Phase 1 of the Silver Line, took an important step today in construction of the project,” MWAA said in a statement. “DTP has made the determination that they have reached substantial completion. The declaration of substantial completion by DTP means they believe they have satisfied the terms of their contract and are ready to turn the project over to MWAA and WMATA for final testing and preparation for operations of the line.”

MWAA and Metro will now be in a 15-day review period, then MWAA can hand off the project. Metro has up to 90 days to complete final testing, but Metro has previously said it probably would not need the full 90 days.

The review will include: delivery of all spare parts and maintenance manuals; evidence supporting successful completion of all tests, all regulatory approvals; as-built final drawings, safety certifications documents; Certificates of Occupancy and remaining punch list items with completion schedule, MWAA said.

So barring big problems, the first riders of the Silver Line to Reston should finally be aboard this spring. The Silver Line’s terminus will be at Wiehle-Reston East for the next five years.

Phase 2 of the project will have stops at Reston Parkway, Herndon Monroe, Route 28, Dulles International Airport and Ashburn. That is expected to open in 2018.

The project, which reportedly loses $2 million each month the rail is not open, has already had significant delays. MWAA officials originally estimated at December 2013 opening based on an August handoff. Last summer, that was extended to early in 2014. In November, it was discovered that tracking software needed to be re-tested. That software was retested two weeks ago.

Patty Nicoson, President of the Dullles Corridor Rail Association, called the news “kind of thrilling we are getting one step closer to the goal post.”

“It is my understanding they shouldn’t need the full 90 days,” she said. “Wouldn’t it be nice if it were open for baseball season?”

Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority officials said on Wednesday that a software problem has been resolved and that they will begin testing it on the Silver Line by the end of the month.

MWAA officials have previously said that once the rail is turned over for testing, it will take about 90 days — barring any glitches uncovered — before the Silver Line sees its first passengers.

Phase 1 of the $5.6 billion Silver Line will run from East Falls Church to Reston’s Wiehle Avenue. Phase 2, on which construction should begin soon, will open in about five years. Phase 2 will run from Wiehle to an additional Reston stop at Reston Parkway, then to Dulles International Airport and into Loudoun County.

MWAA said in late November that it had found an issue with the automatic train control system software. That issue caused a delay  in the timetable — the rail line’s second announced one in six months. Some local officials such as Sen. Mark Warner questioned the setbacks and pointed out the fiscal impact of delays on the Commonwealth and on Metro.

MWAA CEO Jack Potter told The Washington Post on Wednesday that officials will conduct a “simulated service” exercise in which Silver Line trains will run at the same time weekend Metro service is being run. The test will likely be run the weekend of Jan. 25.

MWAA had never set an official opening date, but the original testing period was to have begun in August (for a potential December opening). In June, that was amended to November. In November, of course, the software issue was discovered. If there are no issues found in testing, the Silver Line opening now would be in April.

Pat Nowakowski, project executive director for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project , has repeatedly said safety is the top priority.

“Our guiding principle throughout this process has been ‘safety first’ and we remain committed to that principal,” he aid in November. “We will not do anything that might compromise safety or create unsafe conditions for the traveling public.”

The cost of taking the Dulles Toll Road is set to rise again next week.

Starting Jan. 1, the toll at the Main Plaza will rise to $2.50 for vehicles with two axels, a 75 cent increase. The rates at on and off ramps will remain the same during 2014 ($1).

The rates were approved as part of a three-year increase by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority in 2012 after several public hearings. Tolls rose 25 cents Jan. 1 of this year to $1.75.

There are no scheduled increases for 2015, says MWAA.

The toll increases come, in part, because of rising costs for MWAA to construct Metro’s Silver Line. Phase 1 of the Silver Line, which will terminate at Wiehle-Reston East, is expected to see its first riders this spring.

Phase 2, from Wiehle Avenue to Dulles International Airport and into Loudoun County, is expected to be completed in 2018. However, while Phase 1 received $900 million in federal funding, Phase 2 is not getting any, making predictions for future toll hikes quite high. Early last year, MWAA said that toll rates may be as high as $6.75 by 2018 in order to keep pace with Silver Line costs. Independent estimates say the tolls could rise even higher.

MWAA has an agreement with the Commonwealth of Virginia to operate and maintain the Dulles Toll Road for a 50-year period that began in 2008.