Capacity at Amtrak’s Washington Union Station concourse will double by 2026 as part of the Concourse Modernization Project, which will be the first set of improvements as part of Washington Union Station’s 2nd Century plan. The 2nd Century plan is a comprehensive improvement initiative comprised of multiple projects that seek to triple passenger capacity and double train capacity over the next 20 years.
While Union Station has served the region well for over a century, it is now operating beyond its capacity, particularly during rush hours and peak travel times. Over 37 million people pass through Washington Union Station each year, making it one of the busiest intercity and commuter rail stations for Amtrak, MARC and VRE commuter service and Metrorail service. Ridership has soared, resulting in long and crowded queues of departing passengers that routinely impede the public concourse, blocking flows and diminishing a fluid travel experience.
The Claytor Concourse, Union Station’s intercity and commuter concourse, will be modernized and reconfigured to alleviate congested conditions, doubling its present capacity. The Concourse Expansion Program will enhance passenger comfort and accessibility while enlivening the space with new architectural finishes and natural light. In addition to the expansion of the concourse, improvements by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority for a new Metrorail staircase and new First Street entrance will bring a consolidated set of passenger improvements to the western portion of the concourse.
The planned improvements will complement the introduction of a new Acela fleet, which is accompanied by more frequent service. The Concourse Modernization Project advances in parallel to other 2nd Century Plan projects, including the Federal Railroad Administration’s Environmental Impact Statement EIS for the Washington Union Station Expansion Project, a comprehensive expansion and redevelopment of the station complex.
