Washington Union Station Concourse Modernization Project

Quick Facts

In Design

  • Increased passenger capacity
  • Improved circulation and safety
  • New passenger amenities
  • Enhanced architectural finishes and natural light
  • Better access to connecting modes

2024: Start of construction for remaining station SOGR improvements and station expansion

  • Amtrak
  • Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC)
  • Maryland Transit Administration (MTA)
  • Virginia Railway Express (VRE)
  • Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA)
  • District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT)
  • Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
  • Akridge

Amtrak Capital and FRA Safety Grant

The Concourse Modernization Project will be the first set of improvements to come to life as part of Washington Union Station’s 2nd Century plan. The 2nd Century plan is a comprehensive improvement initiative comprised of multiple projects that seek to triple passenger capacity and double train capacity over the next 20 years.

While Union Station has served the region well for over a cen­tury, it is now operating beyond its capacity, particularly during rush hours and peak travel times. Over 37 million people pass through Washington – Union Station each year, making it one of the busiest intercity and commuter rail stations for Amtrak, MARC and VRE commuter service and Metrorail service. Ridership has soared, resulting in long and crowded queues of de­parting passengers that routinely impede the public concourse, blocking flows and diminishing a fluid travel experience.

The Claytor Concourse, Union Station’s intercity and commuter concourse, will be modernized and reconfigured to alleviate congested conditions, doubling its present capacity. The Concourse Expansion Program will enhance passenger comfort and accessibility, while enlivening the space with new architectural finishes and natural light. In addition to the expansion of the concourse, improvements by WMATA for a new Metrorail staircase and new First Street entrance will bring a consolidated set of passenger improvements to the western portion of the concourse.

The planned improvements will complement the introduction of the NextGen Acela fleet which is accompanied by more frequent service. The Concourse Modernization Project advances in parallel to other 2nd Century Plan projects including the Federal Railroad Administration’s Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Washington Union Station Expansion Project, a comprehensive expansion and redevelopment of the station complex.

Unless otherwise noted, all released renderings should be considered conceptual in nature.

Renderings are not meant to imply or guarantee that anything will or won’t be in the final delivered product. Renderings are only intended to provide the viewer with a broad sense of the project’s overall feel or a certain element of the project.

Stay in Touch

Email your questions, comments or concerns to the project team at [email protected].