Washington Union Station's 2nd Century plan is a comprehensive improvement initiative comprised of multiple projects that seek to triple passenger capacity and double train capacity by modernizing and expanding station facilities over the next 20 years.

The 2nd Century plan is informed by the 2012 Master Plan which set a vision for both near- and long-term growth goals for the station. As many as 37 million passengers, tourists, and shoppers pass through this station every year — making it the third most visited tourist destination in the world. With its success has come challenges as the station has reached its capacity at peak travel times, resulting in long departing queues, overcrowding and visible passenger frustration. In addition, the station’s platforms do not meet modern designs standards.

To address these issues, the project seeks to expand and modernize the multimodal transportation facilities at Washington Union Station by incorporating:

• Re-built and expanded Claytor Concourse
• Additional passenger concourses
• Additional points of access and egress to and from platforms
• Wider platforms
• Longer tracks for double-berthing of trains
• New entrances and exit points to surrounding street network
• Better integrated multi-modal facilities
• Improved ADA access

These improvements are an attempt to address the expected increase in rail traffic throughout the northeast due to future expansion and growth through 2040. Unlocking capacity constraints at Union Station is critical to operations along the Northeast Corridor as it is the busiest station for MARC commuter service and Metro riders and the second busiest for Amtrak, and VRE.

The 2nd Century plan accommodates a new transit-oriented urban neighborhood known as the Burnham Place project. This three million square-foot mixed-use development over the existing rail yard will be developed by Akridge. The development will be a vital economic driver for the DC region as it will reconnect the urban fabric of the station’s adjacent neighborhoods including NoMa, Capitol Hill and the H Street Corridor. Burnham Place will feature retail, hotel, office and residential space — all interspersed with open public spaces.

In addition to these two projects, design and construction are underway to deliver several critical, near-term improvements to the passenger experience and rail facility. These improvement projects are advancing simultaneously with ongoing environmental review and long-range planning studies. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is currently leading an Environmental Impact Statement that will ultimately lead to a record of decision on a preferred alternative.

These improvements are an attempt to address the expected increase in rail traffic throughout the northeast due to future expansion and growth through 2040. Unlocking capacity constraints at Union Station is critical to operations along the Northeast Corridor as it is the busiest station for MARC commuter service and Metro riders and the second busiest for Amtrak, and VRE.

The 2nd Century plan accommodates a new transit-oriented urban neighborhood known as the Burnham Place project. This three million square-foot mixed-use development over the existing rail yard will be developed by Akridge. The development will be a vital economic driver for the DC region as it will reconnect the urban fabric of the station’s adjacent neighborhoods including NoMa, Capitol Hill and the H Street Corridor. Burnham Place will feature retail, hotel, office and residential space — all interspersed with open public spaces.

In addition to these two projects, design and construction are underway to deliver several critical, near-term improvements to the passenger experience and rail facility. These improvement projects are advancing simultaneously with ongoing environmental review and long-range planning studies. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is currently leading an Environmental Impact Statement that will ultimately lead to a record of decision on a preferred alternative.

Benefits

• Increased capacity
• Safety
• Passenger service
• Connectivity
• Environmental impact

Partners

• Amtrak
• Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC)
• Akridge
• U.S. DOT / Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
• Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) / MARC
  
• Virginia Railway Express (VRE)
• District of Columbia DOT