Remember last week when Metro announced the opening date for the Silver Line? Did you have to pinch yourself because it felt like a dream? Is this real life?

It was no dream. This is, in fact, real life. It’s been a week, and Metro is holding firm on that July 26 opening date. During today’s weekly conference call, WMATA Associate General Manager Lynn Bowersox says that they’re still on schedule for the July 26 opening date.

“We remain confident that the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and its contractors will have its work completed in advance of Silver Line’s opening date,” Bowersox says. So far, she says, 16 punch-list items have been closed, and there’s about 20 items left on the list.

In addition to the news that the Silver Line is still on schedule, comes the incredible, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be one of the first ten people to ride the Silver Line! That’s right, Metro “will randomly select 10 lucky winners to participate in the July 26 grand opening ceremony and ride on the first Silver Line train.” Those who enter (by subscribing to the Silver Line eNewsletter, the Silver Bulletin) will be eligible to win a reserved seat at the opening event, a ride on the first train, and—wait for it—an “unlimited Metrorail one-day pass for travel to and from the inaugural activities.”

Finally, Metro unveiled a special Silver Line commemorative SmarTrip Card that will be available at Metro stations and D.C.-area Walmarts.

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