Metro is not building that extension, but it will operate the line once it is completed. Although final approval for federal funds for Dulles is not expected until the end of the year, Metro officials have been told by federal and airport officials to proceed with ordering the rail cars because of the long lead time involved, according to Assistant General Manager for Metrorail Dave Kubicek.

Phase one of the Dulles extension, which is expected to be completed in 2013, will extend from just past the East Falls Church Metro station on the Orange Line in Arlington County through Tysons Corner to Wiehle Avenue in Reston. The second phase will run beyond the airport to Loudoun County and is expected to be done in 2016. The estimated $385 million price tag for the Dulles rail cars is being paid for outside of Metro's budget.

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