The Federal Railroad Administration has removed a six-story parking facility included in a 2020 draft Environmental Impact Statement for a $10 billion renovation of Union Station in Washington, D.C.
“The Federal Railroad Administration has revised key aspects of the proposed redevelopment of Washington’s Union Station, eliminating a parking garage as part of the overhaul,” reports Luz Lazo.
“The proposed expansion of Union Station — a $10 billion private and public investment — envisions a transformation of the nation’s second-largest rail hub by 2040. The project would add a new train hall and concourses, as well as tracks and retail options,” to summarize the scope of the project.
The previously proposed parking lot sparked controversy in July 2020 during public comment on the draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the renovation project. The draft EIS called for a six-story parking garage. The new version of the plan significantly reduces the number of parking spots and relocating the parking to a new subterranean facility that would also serve as a “kiss and ride” facility for pick ups and drop offs.
“The changes also include a major reconfiguration of the station’s bus terminal to align with a new train hall,” according to Lazo.
Most details of the new plan have yet to be revealed to the public, but the Federal Railroad Administration expects to release the new version of the plan in the coming weeks, according to Lazo.
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