Metro, Fairfax County Seek Silver Line Names

What names will appear above the eight planned stations on Metro's Silver Line?

The Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Fairfax County are looking to the public for suggestions.

The groups launched an online survey today asking residents for input on names for the new line, which will stretch through Tysons Corner, Reston and Herndon before ending at Dulles International Airport. The line is expected to be completed in 2013; the five stations in Phase 1 of the project will be named this summer, officials say.

The survey, which is open until 5 p.m. March 21, includes proposed station names for each of the eight stops. Those throughout the Tysons area are noticeably altered from the nicknames local officials have given them so far throughout the planning process. 

Fairfax officials have referred to the stations as "Tysons-Spring Hill Road," "Tysons Central," "Tysons I & II," and "Tysons-McLean" in the past, the Huffington Post reports. Now, three of the four proposed names remove Tysons altogether.

"Tysons-McLean" could become "McLean," "Scotts Run," or "McLean-Scotts Run." "Tysons Central" could become "Greensboro Park" or "Westpark Drive."

Many of the names initially proposed by Fairfax officials have been called confusing or dull. Metro offers these guidelines from its naming police for residents taking the survey.

• Relevant: Identify station locations by geographical features, centers of activity or be derived from the names of cities,communities, neighborhoods or landmarks within one-half mile (or walking distance) of the station;
• Brief: Limited to 19 characters with spaces and punctuation, including both primary and secondary names;
• Unique: Distinctive and not easily confused with other station names
• Evocative: Evoke imagery in the mind of the patron

The final names for the station will be submitted by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to Metro's board of directors for final approval.

Take the survey at wmata.com/silversurvey