The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) signed the combined final environmental impact statement and record of decision for the proposed preferred alternative for the Washington Union Station Expansion Project, designed by the international design practice, Grimshaw, in collaboration with Beyer Blinder Belle, Arup and VHB. This gives the project sponsor – Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC), working in collaboration with Amtrak – the ability to consider the subsequent phases of the design of the project.

“The civic significance and historic context of Washington’s Union Station is a fantastic springboard for the station expansion project,” said Vincent Chang, Managing Partner for North America at Grimshaw. “Our design concepts will maintain the historic station as a destination in the district, while incorporating the new project elements into fabric of the surrounding neighbourhoods and deliver an improved passenger experience for 21st century travel.”

The expansion project will ensure the continued preservation of the historic station, provide a new expanded and transformed multi-modal hub for the district adjacent to the historic station, and improved access to existing rail services, Metrorail, DC Streetcar, and bus services. In addition, it will incorporate enhanced vehicle access and cycle and pedestrian routes.

“Union Station is a key terminal on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, which is the busiest passenger rail corridor in the United States and is also the district’s primary intercity bus terminal,” said Nikolas Dando-Haenisch, Principal at Grimshaw. “Our vision for the expansion project is focused on providing a modern, safe, and high-quality multi-modal experience while increasing the capacity of a station.”

At the heart of the project is the new train hall adjacent to the historic station which connects the existing Beaux-Arts station – designed by Daniel Burnham and opened in 1907 – to new modernized tracks and platforms, a new bus facility, new passenger concourses, and below ground vehicle facility, which are all part of the expansion program. The train hall, located to the north of the historic portions of the existing station, is defined by an expansive, clear-span roof structure with extensive skylights. This will become the circulation hub for the station, enhancing passenger experience, access, and mobility.

“Occupying the equivalent of two city blocks, the design for the station expansion builds on the civic importance of the historic station,” said Vivan Cheng, Associate at Grimshaw. “The design reinforces and respects Union Station’s status as one of the nation’s treasured transportation landmarks while also delivering a modern, integrated destination via the new H Street concourse linking the neighborhoods to the east and west.”