$US 466m revamp for Washington station

Union Station in Washington, DC to benefit from extensive modernisation programme.

THE United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced a $US 465.8m investment in the refurbishment of Washington Union Station in the federal capital. The funding is being provided under the federal-state partnership programme to upgrade the Northeast Corridor (NEC) connecting Washington with Philadelphia, New York and Boston.

According to USDOT, the new funding will:

fast-track critical structural repairs
enhance the passenger concourse, the Amtrak lounge, and ticketing facilities
maximise the station’s revenue-generating potential with retail facilities, car parking, office space, and digital signage, and
improve security.

The federal funding will support both existing and future rail services “without sacrificing the historic nature of the station in a way which will better integrate it into the surrounding neighbourhoods,” says USDOT. Attention will focus on the ageing roof and repairs to the station interior.

“This funding represents a significant milestone in the ongoing revitalisation of Washington Union Station,” says Amtrak president, Roger Harris. “By advancing key infrastructure improvements, this investment helps lay the foundation for a modern, world-class station.”