Amtrak has announced that it will use a portion of its $2.45 billion investment package to fund construction for the modernization of the passenger rail concourse in Washington, D.C.'s, Union Station.
“This is an enormous milestone for Washington Union Station, securing the next steps in modernizing this gateway to our Nation’s Capital,” remarked Stephen Gardner, executive vice president of Amtrak infrastructure and investment development. “With 37 million people passing through the station each year, these investments are critical to regional connectivity and economic growth and will result in a premier travel experience for Union Station customers.”
The investment will fund full-phase construction of Amtrak’s Concourse Modernization Project, a comprehensive renovation of Washington Union Station’s intercity and commuter concourse. The project will double the concourse’s current capacity and upgrade customer amenities, including new restrooms, boarding gates, seating and ClubAcela lounge.
“We are elated that a District of Columbia landmark that is utilized by thousands of residents and visitors each and every day will receive a fresh start,” stated D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. “This investment in Union Station by the Obama Administration and Amtrak is truly monumental.”
Design for the project, funded with contributions from Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC), is already underway and early action construction will start in the fall of 2016, including the relocation of heating and ventilation. Full-phased construction, funded by the new investment package, is anticipated to start in 2017.
The Concourse Modernization is the first improvement project of the Washington Union Station’s 2nd Century plan, an initiative comprised of multiple projects in coordination with USRC, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and private real estate developer Akridge.
The investment package will also fund the modification of Amtrak’s fleet maintenance facility in Washington, D.C., and 28 next-generation high-speed trainsets from Alstom. The two-track high-speed maintenance building in Amtrak’s Ivy City Yard will be expanded to enclose a third track. The trainsets will replace the equipment used to provide Amtrak’s premium Acela Express service.
Amtrak is funding both the infrastructure improvements as well the new trainsets through the FRA’s Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing program, which will be repaid through growth in Northeast corridor (NEC) revenues.