Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) is the Project Sponsor for the Washington Union Station Project (Project). The purpose of the Project is to expand and modernize Washington Union Station (Station), the National Capital Region’s principal intermodal transportation hub. The Project would provide a positive customer experience; support current and future rail service and operational needs; facilitate intermodal transportation; preserve and maintain the historic Station; sustain the economic viability of the Station; and integrate the Station with the adjacent neighborhoods, businesses, and planned development.

On March 12, 2024, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) signed a combined Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)/Record of Decision (ROD) and Final Section 4(f) Evaluation for the Project. The FEIS describes the impacts of the No Action Alternative and the Preferred Alternative (Alternative F) on the environment, and responds to comments received on the June 2020 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) and the 2023 Supplemental DEIS (SDEIS). 

The ROD documents and explains FRA’s decision to select the Preferred Alternative for implementation. FRA made this decision based on a thorough and careful consideration of the potential short-term and long-term benefits and impacts of this alternative; mitigation of those impacts; and public and agency comments.

The major distinctive elements of the Project’s Selected Alternative (Alternative F) include:

• Below-ground pick-up/drop-off and parking facility, including:
  • approximately 65% reduction in parking capacity compared to the 2020 DEIS Preferred Alternative and 77% reduction compared to the existing garage, and 
  • ramps to access the pick-up/drop-off and parking facility on G Street NE and First Street NE.
• Bus facility integrated with the H Street deck above the rail terminal and the east-west train hall that meets long-term intercity and tour/charter needs with 39 slips, and with available overflow space on the H Street deck capable of accommodating approximately 15 buses in times of very high demand, for a total capacity of 54 buses. 
• Enhanced opportunities for a symmetrical public space at the H Street deck level commensurate with Washington Union Station’s historic and architectural significance, to be established by the developer of the adjacent privately-owned air rights. 

Public Participation and Comments

FRA coordinated National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA). 

On June 4, 2020, FRA released a DEIS and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation for public comment in compliance with NEPA. The DEIS assessed the impacts of the No Action Alternative and six Action Alternatives (Alternatives A through E, and Alternative A-C). Comments were received through September 28, 2020. 

To address many comments on the DEIS, FRA and the Project Proponents (USRC and Amtrak) developed a new alternative (Alternative F), which FRA identified as the Project’s Preferred Alternative in July 2022. On May 12, 2023, FRA issued an SDEIS, Draft Programmatic Agreement (PA), and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation to address the new Preferred Alternative's potential impacts on the human and natural environment. Comments on these documents were accepted through July 6, 2023.

Following review of the SDEIS, FRA considered all comments received. These comments are part of the public record and are documented in the FEIS, which also contains FRA’s responses. 

FRA encouraged public participation throughout the development and evaluation of the Project. Public participation in the NEPA and NHPA Section 106 processes was solicited without regard to race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, disability, or family status.

Permitting Dashboard

The U.S. Permitting Dashboard is an online tool for Federal agencies, project sponsors, and interested members of the public to track the Federal government’s environmental review and authorization processes for large or complex infrastructure projects. The Dashboard is part of a government-wide effort to improve coordination, transparency, and accountability. A link to this project’s page on the Dashboard is below.

• Permitting Dashboard Link