It's........ALIIIIIVE!!!!

The Metro Silver Line is back from the dead:

The Federal Transit Administration has approved its share for the extension of Metrorail to Dulles International Airport, a move that almost guarantees the $5.2 billion project will become a reality.

Approval of the money now goes onto to Transportation Secretary Mary Peters and the Office of Management and Budget, but most officials involved in the project say the transit agency’s approval was the major obstacle. After those approvals, Congress must then approve the money.

The planned Silver Line would run 23 miles from Falls Church to the bustling Tysons Corner on its way to Dulles International Airport and Loudoun County.

The first stage, which extends to Tysons Corner, is expected to be completed in 2013. The second phase would be finished two years later. (The Washington Post)

I know this is of absolutely no interest whatsoever to our readers outside the NoVA area, but I am of decidedly mixed views about it. If you clicky through to the WaPo article, you can read about all the Happy Megalopolis of the Future plans for Tyson's Corner. Orgle Manor is located within a couple of Elway touchdown bombs of the place, so presumably all this future desirability will rub off on our property value. On the other hand, good God almighty is the place going to be a freakin' mess for the foreseeable future! Especially given that the current plan is to put the extension on a damned elevated track, instead of, as wanted by many of us locals, in a tunnel.