Amtrak’s Vision for the Historic Union Station

Amtrak announced a bold vision for transforming DC’s Union Station, to make it a key HUB for the Northeast Corridor High Speed Rail system. A $ 7 billion project would create multiple levels of tracks and triple the capacity without changing the historical architecture of the Union Station. The project’s developer is also pursuing a $1.3 billion development with 1.5 million SF of office space, 100,000 SF of retail, 1,300 residential units and 500 hotel rooms, which would be built adjacent to the station.

Amtrak plans to complete the $151 billion NE Corridor high speed rail project by 2040. It is not clear where the funding for $7 billion will come from. The amount represents 13 percent of Federal government’s entire surface transportation budget. “Congress has a renewed focus on spending cuts, and in January it is poised to allow $1.2 trillion in discretionary spending cuts over the next decade to start taking effect. It hasn't allocated any money to the project.”



Reference: Richman, Eli, $7 Billion Plan for D.C.'s Union Station Announced, Governing, July 26, 2012
 

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