FRA issues final environmental statement for Washington Union Station project

The Federal Railroad Administration this week issued the final environmental impact statement and record of decision (FEIS/ROD) for the proposed project to expand Union Station in Washington, D.C.

The FEIS addresses comments received on the draft and supplemental environmental impact statements; the ROD explains the FRA's decision to move forward with implementation of the preferred alternative.

The project would expand and modernize Washington Union Station's (WUS) multimodal transportation facilities while preserving the historic building. The project calls for reconstructing and realigning the tracks and platforms; developing a train hall and new concourses; enhancing WUS accessibility; improving multimodal transportation services and connectivity; and improving and expanding infrastructure and other supporting facilities. The planning horizon year for full operation of the project is 2040.

The project area covers 53 acres, and includes the existing historic station building, the WUS parking garage and bus facility, the rail terminal and the railroad infrastructure up to the tracks to the Eckington and Ivy City rail yards, just north of New York Avenue Northeast. Neither rail yard is included in the project area. The area also contains the Railway Express Agency Building owned by Amtrak, the H Street Bridge and a portion of G Street NE.

FRA’s preferred alternative calls for constructing an east-west train hall north of the historic station building that would replace the existing Claytor Concourse. It would also feature a one-level, east-west bus facility integrated into the air rights deck above the rail terminal and directly connected to the train hall. The historic station would continue to be the monumental focal point, the “gateway to the nation’s capital,” and a primary pedestrian entrance and pick-up and drop-off location.

To read the full FEIS/ROD, click here.