Jul 25, 2012 - do not comply with modern design standards, including the requirements of the americans with Disabilities
U n i o n S tat i o n Master Plan Amtrak Wa s h i n g t o n , D C
P r epa r ed by Pa rs o n s B r i n c k er h o f f | HOK
Executive Summary | July 25th 2012
© 20 12 Nat io n a l Ra i l road Pa s s en g er Co r p o r at io n . A l l R ig h t s R es erv ed
July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
Contents Ov erview
The Master Pl an Challenge
A G r o w i n g U n i o n Stat i o n
A M u lt i mo d a l Fa c i l i t y
A New Urban Pl ace
Imp l e m e n t i n g t h e P l a n
Conclusion
a m tra k .co m
Page ii | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
Ov e r v i e w
The Challenge
Realizing the station’s potential for growth
Designed by Daniel Burnham and opened in
must be accomplished within the existing
1907, Washington Union Station instantly
station footprint, preserve the iconic existing
became one of the pre-eminent passenger
Union Station, limit negative impacts on
rail facilities in the world, and a national
surrounding neighborhoods, and respect the
landmark. Today, with renewed growth in rail
historic legacy of Daniel Burnham’s original
travel, it has emerged as one of the nation’s
station design and Washington’s city plan.
busiest transportation hubs and a model for
View of the historic station, train shed and air rights development from the southwest. Image courtesy of Akridge/SBA.
multimodal transportation centers across the
T h e So l ut i o n
country. The station is the second busiest
Amtrak and other stakeholders, including
in the Amtrak system, hosting 100,000
Union Station Redevelopment Corporation
passenger trips per day. Eight Amtrak long-
(USRC), United States Department of
distance and regional train lines serve the
Transportation (USDOT), Maryland Transit
station, in addition to Amtrak’s Acela Express
Administration (MTA), Virginia Department
and Northeast Corridor routes, MARC and
of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT)
Virginia Railway Express (VRE) services, the
and the Washington Metropolitan Area
Metrorail’s Red Line, local, region, tour, and
Transit Authority (WMATA), among others,
intercity bus lines, and two bicycle facilities.
have engaged in a collaborative planning
Streetcar service is soon to arrive, with a
process, creating a world-class master plan
new line currently being constructed that
that addresses existing deficiencies and
will connect the station with surrounding
provides for future growth. The Washington
neighborhoods. Located in a vibrant business
Union Station Master Plan (Master Plan)
district, and a retail and tourist destination in
creates a framework for capital investment
its own right, Union Station is an engine for
that will provide numerous local, regional,
sustainable economic growth, and its ability
and national benefits. The plan is practical,
to expand and thrive is essential to continued
with phased construction that can be
regional vitality.
accomplished incrementally.
While Union Station has served the region
The plan will improve the primary functions
well for over 100 years, it is now operating
of the station, focusing on the core needs
beyond its capacity, especially during rush
and customer experience of a multimodal
hours and peak travel periods. Queues of
transportation center, by increasing:
departing Amtrak passengers form a halfhour before boarding begins and routinely
Capacity to triple the passengers in the
extend into the public concourse, blocking
station and double the train service, moving
flows. Additionally, the tracks and platforms
towards more sustainable transportation.
do not comply with modern design standards, including the requirements of the Americans
Quality to improve the passenger and visitor
with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the
experience as commuters and travelers move
emergency egress standards of life safety
swiftly and efficiently across all modes of
codes. The mixing of train servicing activities
transportation.
with passengers – both concentrated at the same end of the platforms – creates
Vitality in the surrounding area by providing
circulation bottlenecks that will worsen as
transportation and economic growth to
passenger volumes increase. Many of the
support Washington as a nexus of cultural,
station’s support facilities are obsolete and
political, and business opportunity in the
inadequate for modern railroad operations.
region and nation.
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July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
3
6
5
2
4
1
8
9
7
Diagrammatic view of the master plan from the southwest.
1
Concourse A
2
Concourse B
3
Concourse C
4
West Concourse
5
Central Concourse
6
Market Passage
7
Metro
8
Main Hall
9
Columbus Plaza
The Master Plan creates a vision that
the train station and its neighborhood. The
celebrates the renaissance of rail
planted vegetated roof of the train shed will
transportation in the United States,
retain rainwater, and temper the interior
expanding the truly wonderful station that
environment.
serves millions each year – rail passengers, transit riders, area workers and residents,
New passenger concourses will be
tourists and the general public.
seamlessly integrated with the existing historic station building, enabling passengers
Pl an Elements
and visitors to spread throughout the
The power of the Master Plan lies in its
station complex in light-filled spaces with
ability to create a high-functioning and well-
significant retail and passenger amenities.
integrated multimodal transportation hub, as
Two north-south public concourses will form
well as a wonderful new urban neighborhood
the backbone of the circulation system – the
– all within a relatively confined space. The
Central Concourse on the north-south axis of
Master Plan matches the quality and vision
the historic station, and the West Concourse
of the original, iconic Union Station design,
connecting to Metro and the business district
while creating a world-class transportation
on the west side. These public concourses
hub and preserving Union Station as an
will connect new passenger spaces with the
architectural treasure. The further appeal of
existing station, including a series of new
the plan is its ability to create critical station
street entrances along 1st and 2nd Streets.
space on multiple levels below the tracks and platforms. The Union Station Master
The existing Concourse A, which currently
Plan combines significant new passenger
serves both intercity and commuter rail
features with new connections to the city and
passengers, will be one of the first areas
a practical approach to phased construction.
of improvement. This important passenger space will be substantially widened
a m tra k .co m
The heart of the plan is the creation of a new
and opened vertically, fitted with a new
train shed that will welcome passengers to
glazed roof to increase natural light and
Washington, bring natural light to station
spaciousness. This concourse will have
spaces, and symbolically organize the
a direct line of sight to the tracks and
connections of all transit modes. The new
platforms, and will be the primary Amtrak
train shed will become the nexus for vertical
waiting and boarding concourse. Amtrak’s
connectivity to the commercial development
passengers will have a seamless experience
above and horizontal connectivity between
extending from an improved taxi operation,
Page 2 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
Drivers
Pa ss e n g e r g r o w t h s tat i o n us a g e e xc e e ds c a pa c i t y
a i r - r i g h t s d e v e l o pm e n t
T r a ck & P l at f o r m d e f i c i e n c i e s
I n c r e a s e d Pa r k i n g & B us d e m a n ds
supp o r t fa c i l i t i e s i n a d e qu at e
g a r a g e c o l um n s l i m i t p l at f o r m c a pa c i t y
Pa ss e n g e r g r o w t h
m e t r o r a i l r e d l i n e at c a pa c i t y
D D o t S t r e e t c a r i mp l e m e n tat i o n
r a i l g r o w t h e xc e e ds t r a ck c a pa c i t y
a i r - r i g h t s d e v e l o pm e n t
n e c H i g h sp e e d r a i l g r o w t h
Actions
1
2
3
4
Phase 3 - west side & tr ain shed 2 0 2 3 -2 0 2 8
P h a s e 1 i m m e d i at e a c t i o n 2 0 13 - 2 0 17 E x i s t i n g C o n c o u r s e i mp r o v e m e n t s
d e m o l i sh g a r a g e
2 n e w t r a cks & p l at f o r ms
S t ub - E n d t r a ck & p l at f o r m i mp r o v e m e n t s
C r e w b a s e r e l o c at i o n
t r a i n sh e d c o n s t r uc t i o n Phase 2 - east side 2 0 18 - 2 0 2 2
P h a s e 4 - f u t u r e c a pa c i t y 2028+
E a s t s i d e t h r u t r a ck & p l at f o r m r e c o n s t r uc t i o n
New Metror ail line
n e w b e l o w g r a d e pa r k i n g
l o w e r l e v e l t r a cks & n e w c o n c o u r s e
a dd e d t r a ck c a pa c i t y
through enlarged waiting areas and onto
accessibility requirements and the rigorous
wide and open platforms.
emergency egress standards required in transit facilities.
Complementing the renovated existing
(above) New train shed as seen from H Street. (lower) The Concourse A looking northwest showing the waiting areas, skylights and mezzanine bridges.
Concourse A, two new commuter concourses
The new Union Station complex will be a
will efficiently connect rail passengers to
multi-level facility, with new development
the city. These new passenger concourses
above the tracks creating a new
will be located one level below the tracks
street network and neighborhood, and
and platforms, with Concourse B, at
complementing the transportation functions
approximately the center of the platforms,
below. Public spaces at the H Street level
and Concourse C at the north ends of the
air rights development will focus on the new
platforms. While commuters will be able
train shed with multiple, sky-lit atria that will
to use all three concourses, Concourses B
bring both light and passengers to the station
and C will see primary commuter use. An
below. The air rights development will
east-west pedestrian connection directly
provide a number of new entrances to Union
beneath H Street, called the Market Passage,
Station, crowned by a new northern entrance
will interconnect with the other public
into the train shed, connecting the streetcar
concourses, offer more opportunities for
line, public plazas and passenger concourses
retail uses, and help to re-weave the urban
with retail, hotels, offices and residences.
fabric of the city below the tracks and
Complementing the open space system,
platforms.
a new linear park will connect NoMa ’s1 planned park improvements at L Street with
Union Station currently has 20 usable rail
landscaping and the northern continuation of
platform tracks, served by a combination
the Metropolitan Bike Trail.
of high-level and low-level platforms. All of these platforms are less than 20 feet wide
Imp l e m e n t i n g t h e P l a n
and are only accessible to passengers at
The Master Plan envisions a phased
their southern ends. Many are interrupted
construction effort over a 15-20 year
by columns supporting the parking garage
period, designed to efficiently implement the
or the H Street Bridge. Capacity growth and
plan and minimize disruption to the station
safety standards cannot be achieved without
users and the surrounding neighborhoods.
realigning and re-spacing the station tracks;
It incorporates a construction approach
Station. The District of Columbia City Council approved
the Master Plan creates platforms that are
that is conducted in three phases of
creation of the NoMa Business Improvement District
wider, longer and straighter – and capable
implementation:
in 2007. Development has ushered in a number
of handling more passengers per train
of prominent commercial businesses, government
and more trains per hour than the existing
Phase 1 includes early action projects to
organizations, and retail establishments.
platforms. The new platforms will meet ADA
facilitate subsequent construction phases
1
“NoMa” refers to a DC neighborhood north of Union
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July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
Central Concourse as viewed from the south showing waiting areas, reconstructed tracks and platforms, the first class lounge & retail opportunities.
and relieve existing passenger and train
be built first, and allowing the air rights
and double the number of trains within the
congestion and significant improvements to
development platform and below-grade
existing station footprint. Commuters will
Concourse A.
levels to be constructed simultaneously, or
be able to move expeditiously through the
afterwards. Creating the foundations and
station to their connections. And the plan
Phase 2 includes reconstruction of the east
support structure for the reconfigured train
will create significant public spaces that can
side of the rail yard - providing all new tracks
station will require a higher initial investment,
be enjoyed for decades to come, knitting
and platforms (with two tracks added to
but this up-front construction creates the
the city of Washington together in a way
capacity), new passenger concourses, and
opportunity for the construction of three
that has not been possible for 100 years.
replacement parking below.
million square feet of air rights development
Union Station itself will strengthen its role
above coupled with six million square feet of
as a destination, a magnet for commercial
station development below.
and cultural events, and the region’s most
Phase 3 includes the renovation of the west
significant transportation hub. Finally,
side of the rail yard, including the terminal stub end tracks and construction of the
Cost and Benefits
the investment also makes possible the
train shed that will be the centerpiece of
The preliminary estimated cost for the
extension of high-speed rail service into the
the passenger experience and the urban
station reconstruction and terminal
Southeastern United States.
development above.
capacity expansion is between $6.5 and $7.5 billion (2012 dollars). This provides for
Conclusion
Phase 4 provides for further expanded
the construction of Phases 1, 2, and 3, and
The Master Plan is a visionary, yet practical
tracks and platforms on a lower level
includes contingencies and allowances for
way to meet the region’s transportation
and the creation of a new Amtrak lower-
design and other ancillary costs associated
needs for the next century. The Master
level concourse, and provides the basis
with implementation. When combined with
Plan creates capacity, provides the highest
for extension of expanded high-speed
an estimated $1.5 billion (2012 dollars) for
quality passenger experience, and stimulates
rail service south to Virginia and the
the air rights development, this spending
economic vitality for the National Capital
Southeastern United States.
is estimated to have an impact on the
Region. The plan provides and facilitates
Washington area economy of between $13.5
the local, regional and national travel
The phased construction allows major
to $15 billion in gross regional product over
capabilities to support Washington as the
investments in new capacity to occur
the same 15-20 year construction period.
political, cultural, and business capital of the
as needed, with the scope and timing of
Additionally, expenditures by arriving Amtrak
country. It is a practical way to rebuild Union
future investments based on travel demand
passengers at Union Station, currently at
Station because it uses a phased approach
and the availability of resources. Phased
approximately $900 million, are projected
and is designed with the budget realities of
construction leverages the available
to grow to approximately $2.75 billion, an
today’s world in mind. We have a once-in-a-
untapped real estate that exists beneath
increase of $1.85 billion, or 200%.
generation opportunity to secure the longrange transportation and economic future
the tracks and platforms, which is important as station facilities can not be expanded
By making this investment in Washington
of the Washington region and the Northeast
upwards or laterally. The construction will
Union Station, the city and region receive
mega-region by equipping Union Station for
be implemented in a top-down approach,
enormous benefits. There will be room to
its second century of outstanding service to
permitting the tracks and platforms to
comfortably triple the number of passengers
the traveling public.
a m tra k .co m
Page 4 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
Th e M a s t e r P l a n Challenge
The Master Plan connects a modernized rail
Streetcar, taxis, parking, pedestrian
infrastructure with the city – infrastructure
systems, and bicycles.
necessary to move millions of passengers a year through Union Station to jobs, homes,
Pa s s e n g e r E x p e r i e n c e
schools, cultural facilities and tourist
The existing station tracks and platforms
destinations. With its unparalleled location,
must be reconstructed to meet code
Union Station has the potential to surpass
requirements, improve passenger service
its peers around the world as a high capacity,
and operational efficiency, and enable future
efficiently functioning rail terminal, with
growth in the number of passengers per train
extraordinary economic, social, and cultural
and passengers per hour. Station platforms
benefits. However, realizing the station’s
do not meet the current requirements of the
St. Pancras Station, London
potential for growth must be accomplished
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – level
within the existing station footprint,
boarding of trains is not possible with low
Go a l s O f t h e Stu dy
preserve the iconic existing Union Station,
platforms or high platforms that are too
Increase Capacity
limit negative impacts on surrounding
short; excessively steep ramps and parking
Improve Passenger Experience
neighborhoods, and respect the historic
garage columns result in unacceptable
legacy of Daniel Burnham’s original station
platform edge clearances. Overcrowding
design and Washington’s city plan.
and congestion are daily occurrences at
Enhance Vitality
Union Station, with concourse, gate areas C a pa c i t y G r o w t h
and Metro entrances routinely congested
All three railroads – Amtrak, MARC and VRE
and long, uncontrolled boarding queues of
– achieved record levels of ridership in 2011,
Amtrak passengers extending into the public
and the train station is now close to the
concourse.
limits of its practical capacity, struggling to accommodate 8,000 rail passengers during
To provide the highest quality passenger
weekday peak hours. Demand for other
experience, the Master Plan must
transit modes at Union Station will continue
incorporate lessons learned from comparable
to grow, and plans for the introduction of
domestic and international stations,
high-performance high-speed rail, intercity
including: St. Pancras and King’s Cross in
bus, and streetcar service will add tens of
London, Puerta de Atocha in Madrid, Gare
thousands of additional daily occupants.
du Nord in Paris, Antwerpen-Centraal, and
Over the long term additional station
the Berlin Hauptbahnhof. These facilities
capacity will be needed to accommodate
are inspirational in the ways they provide for
this growth, and deferring action is not an
passenger capacity, interconnect rail with
option. The millions of people each year that
other transportation modes, integrate with
will move through the station will require
their surroundings, and become places of
seamless transfers between intercity and
civic and national pride, and destinations in
commuter trains, Metrorail, Metrobus,
their own right. All of these stations achieve
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July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
Diagrammatic view of the reconstructed Concourse A in Phase 1.
extraordinarily high passenger capacities within facility footprints similar to Union
fulfill its role to transform the Washington metro area and the mega-region that
Station.
stretches from North Carolina and Virginia
Eco n om i c V i ta l i t y
regional roadways become more congested
Union Station’s surrounding environment
and fuel prices continue to rise, increasing
is rapidly changing. Multiple plans for the station vicinity will affect the station’s growth, including the emergence of the vibrant NoMa district surrounding the station and the three million square feet of mixed use development planned for the station’s air rights. The retail at Union Station is already
through New England, and beyond. As
numbers of people will live in locations easily accessible to rail service. Making travel easier and journey times shorter, Union Station will ultimately shape the spatial development of the region, influencing decisions of people and companies about where they locate.
being redeveloped and offers significant potential to further shape the character and appeal of the station vicinity. On a broader scale, the challenge of the Master Plan is to enable Union Station to
View of station looking southeast showing midday a m tra k .co m
Page 6 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
storage of equipment on active platforms
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
A Growing Union S tat i o n
The train shed looking southwest showing the
The power of the Master Plan lies in its
exists to create both a high-capacity train
vegetated green roof.
ability to create a high-functioning and well-
station and a compact, efficient and well-
integrated multimodal transportation hub, as
connected hub for multiple transportation
well as a wonderful new urban neighborhood
modes.
– all within a relatively confined space. The Master Plan matches the quality and vision
New Tr ain Shed
of the original, iconic Union Station design,
For many international visitors, Union
while creating a world-class transportation
Station is one of their first impressions of the
hub and preserving Union Station as an
Nation’s Capital. Therefore, the Master Plan
architectural treasure. The further appeal of
has foreseen a new design of a world-class
the plan is its ability to create critical station
transportation hub worthy of a great nation.
space on multiple levels below the tracks and
The heart of the plan is the creation of a new
platforms. At Union Station, the opportunity
train shed that will welcome passengers to
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EEN SPACE
V ERTICA L CIRCUL ATION
TOTA L TR K S
25K
NE
NE
NE
ET
EET
EET
TR H S
TRE G S
July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
CN N CA R E
GPO
FIRS T
P OS TA L SQUA R E U NIO N
A PA
7 7K
CEN T ER
KING
PL A Z A
1S T S T R EE T
4 CONCOURSE B
B U S T E R M I N A L & PA R K I N G
3
AC C E S S
UND
5
EET
2
R K ST
R E TA I L
R E TA I L
AG E
1
SS T PA
CENTR AL CONCOURSE
ERP ASS
PA R K I N G /
RKE
R E TA I L
TA X I S TAG I N G
MA
WEST CONCOURSE R E TA I L
CONCOURSE C
METRO
PA R K I N G
AMTR AK SUPPORT
AC C E S S F R O M
PA R K I N G
FUNCTIONS
6
AC C E S S F R O M
B E L OW
B E L OW
REA BUILDING
ING
S EN AT E
S TAT I O N P L AC E
SQUA R E 2ND
STR
EET
CA PITO L P L ACE
the historic station, will (+20 tie all parts of the - +42 .5’ )
above and horizontal connectivity between
multimodal hub together: the historic building
2
Master Plan July 17 , 2012 Concourse B Washington Union Terminal the train station and its neighborhood. The
3
Concourse C
planted vegetated roof of the train shed will
neighborhood, passenger concourse, and
4
West Concourse
retain rainwater, and temper the interior
transit connections. The Central Concourse
environment.
will consist of a 50-foot wide and 100-foot
5
Central Concourse
6
Market Passage
and the new rail infrastructure, the H Street
high pedestrian passage linking all three The new train shed features a modern green
arrival and departure concourses, and be
ribbon roof design. It matches the quality
lined with retail and public amenities. The
and vision of the original, iconic Union
connection of the Central Concourse to the
Station design, while creating a world class
existing station will become the new central
transportation hub.
hub of the station and will have dramatic views into the train shed. This intersection
N e w P u b l i c a n d Pa s s e n g e r
will also represent a symbolic joining of the
C o n cou r s e s
historic Burnham building to the south and
The Master Plan addresses the challenges
the future of rail to the north. The Central
of passenger crowding and confusion by
Concourse will be entirely covered with
both enlarging the existing Amtrak and
an iconic skylight that is one of a series of
commuter rail concourse and also providing
undulating forms that are an integral part of
new public and passenger concourses that
the train shed.
are convenient to use and easy to access.
a m tra k .co m
Pedestrian circulation in the station will be
A new West Concourse will supplement
organized around two major north-south
the north-south circulation capacity of the
concourses located one level below the
Central Concourse, running the length of
existing tracks and platforms at the 1st
the station complex and linking the Metrorail
Street level. Both of these public concourses
Red Line station with the NoMa district
will have natural light since the tracks above
to the north. The West Concourse will be
Page 8 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
NE
NE
Concourse A (level above)
The Central Concourse, on the axis of
connectivity to the commercial development
EET
EET
NE
PH AS E I FIRST STREET LEVEL train shed will become the nexus for vertical
TR K S
R I ST
down to the concourse level. ET
will be re-positioned to provide openings
spaces, and symbolically organize the connections of all transit modes. The new
1
TRE H S
Washington, bring natural light to station E T N
below the tracks and platforms.
E TRE G S
Plan of 1st Street Level showing new concourses
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
primarily used by transferring commuter rail
concierge-style customer service, and will
passengers, but will also serve as an amenity
provide these amenities at the entrances
to the entire Union Station area with many
from the public concourse into the waiting
connections to 1st Street and lined with
and gate areas, with reception desks
retail.
staffed by Amtrak personnel, providing train information, handling ticketing transactions,
The existing rail concourse, shown as
directing passengers to other services within
Concourse A in this plan will be expanded,
the station, and checking the validity of
doubling its present capacity, and revitalized
tickets for passengers entering the waiting
with new architectural finishes and a skylit
area. Concourse A will become the heart
roof that will allow sunlight to fill and enliven
of intercity rail passenger service at Union
the space. The taxi roadway above the
Station.
existing concourse will be relocated, further Passenger information signage
opening up the volume of space within the
Two additional east-west concourses will
concourse. Concourse A will be the primary
be constructed one level below the existing
area used for departing Amtrak passengers,
tracks and platforms. Concourse B will be
and will also be used by all arriving
located at the mid-point of the platforms
passengers - both intercity and commuters.
and will become a commuter concourse for MARC and VRE passenger services,
Two large waiting areas within Concourse A
including ticketing, train information and
will provide seating for departing passengers
seated waiting areas. The northernmost
and queuing space at the gates leading to
Concourse C will have access to all platforms
the train platforms. Amtrak is improving the
at their northern ends, and will provide a
passenger experience with e-ticketing and
convenient pedestrian route to and from
Central Concourse as viewed from the south showing waiting areas, reconstructed tracks and platforms, the first class lounge & retail opportunities.
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V ERTICA L CIRCUL ATION
TOTA L
NW
NE
EET
25K
NE
STR
NE
TH
OL
EET
EET
ET
NOR
IT CAP
TR K S
TR H S
TRE G S
July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
CN N CA R E
GPO
FIRS T
P OS TA L SQUA R E
B E LOW G R A D E PA R K I N G
E
U NIO N
S
A PA
7 7K
TR
CEN T ER
E E
PL A Z A
T N
EL +00’ 00”
W 1S T S T R EE T G R E E N WAY & B I K E T R A I L
W
O P E N TO B E LOW
RR
3 TICKETING
COLUMBUS CIRCLE
1
4
O P E N TO B E LOW
5
R E A PA R K I N G LOT
2 RR
REA BUILDING
R ADE
S EN AT E
S TAT I O N P L AC E
NG
SQUA R E
AG I N G
2ND
STR
EET
CA PITO L P L ACE
The Master Plan provides for new tracks and
3
West Side Stub End Tracks
departing and arriving passengers, providing
4
Main Hall
access to every platform in the station and
and future project rail planning standards
maximizing the operational flexibility of
and all safety and accessibility requirements.
both intercity and commuter rail. Arriving
The new platforms will be substantially wider,
passengers will be able to exit the platform
longer and straighter and capable of handling
to any of the three concourses, which will
double the passengers per train and more
minimize the time required to clear the
trains per hour than the existing platforms.
platforms of passengers following train
These widened platforms are particularly
arrivals. The multiple concourses also will
important for the large passenger loads of
help evenly distribute passengers throughout
commuter trains. A key component in the
the station.
Master Plan is the proposed removal and
5
Central Concourse (below)
platforms at the station that will meet current
replacement of the existing parking deck
a m tra k .co m
T r a c ks a n d P l atfo r m s
that was constructed in the 1970’s and
The Master Plan will replace or modernize
later expanded by the USRC. Presently a
virtually all of the elements of railroad
revenue source for USRC, the parking deck
infrastructure within the terminal limits –
provides bus access and parking for 2,200
tracks, structures, electric power systems,
cars at the station. Unfortunately, the
signaling and train control systems and
constricted column grid of the deck at the
rolling stock storage and maintenance
platform level prevents the current tracks
facilities. Switches within the station
and platforms from being reconstructed with
area will be upgraded to better geometric
the configuration and dimensions necessary
standards, and configuration of tracks and
to accommodate future passenger capacity.
switches in the terminal will be adjusted to
The Master Plan team studied numerous
facilitate better train movement into and
alternatives to the removal of the parking
out of the station. The Master Plan will
deck, and concluded that replacement of the
Page 10 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
NE
NE
Washington Master Plan July 17 , 2012 East Side Run-Thru Tracks Union Terminal Concourses A, B, and C will primarily serve
EET
the eventual new fleet of high-performance,
after exiting the platforms. rolling stock. M AIN L E V EL (+58.5’high-speed )
TR K S
of longer trainsets and a larger fleet, and
transfer to Metro without a change in levels
EET
will have convenient, direct access to
PH AS E I LEVEL 0 Concourse A
R I ST
requirements for storage and maintenance NE
2
accommodate commuter railroad and Amtrak
station. Passengers using these concourses
ET
1
the neighborhoods lying to the north of the E T N
tracks and platforms and the historic train station.
TRE H S
Main Level plan ofA Lthe station reconstructed FED ER J U DICI A L CENshowing T ER
E TRE G S
T H U RGOO D M A RS H A L L B UIL DIN G /
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
parking capacity to a below-grade facility
equipment, that are only able to unload and
is critical to meeting rail infrastructure
load passengers from a low level boarding
needs, and will also allow the highest and
platform. All tracks will be equipped with an
best possible use of the parking garage site
overhead catenary system to accommodate
for redevelopment and creation of a public
electric locomotives.
amenity. The west side stub-end tracks will be Service access to the platforms will be
reconstructed with six high level boarding
provided via a series of new elevators located
platforms and twelve stub-end tracks. These
near the mid-points of the platforms to
tracks will be spaced to open the north-south
minimize interference with rail passengers.
axis of the Central Concourse to natural light
The service elevators will link to a below-
and the activity of the train shed.
grade network of service corridors. T e r m i n a l C a pa c i t y E x pa n s i o n
The east side run-through tracks (which
The track and platform reconstruction and
travel under the station through the 1st
passenger concourse improvements will
Street tunnel to points south) will be
increase Union Station’s rail passenger
reconstructed to provide eight platform
handling capacity. However, additional
tracks and five platforms, including three
investments in terminal capacity rail facilities
tracks with low level boarding platform
will be needed to enable MARC, VRE and
edges, to accommodate bi-level commuter
Amtrak rail service to keep growing to meet
trainsets, as well as Amtrak’s Superliner
future demand. These investments include
Interior view of the train shed looking north showing the reconstructed track and platforms at the main level
Prepared for Amtrak by Parsons Brinckerhoff & HOK | Page 11
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July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
8
8 3
MARC D I E S E L T R AC KS
4
METRO
2
PA R K I N G
1 5
7 6
WA S H I N G TO N U N I O N S TAT I O N
Diagrammatic cross section looking north showing the reconstructed tracks and platforms, train shed, air rights development and replacement parking.
1
the expansion of mid-day storage capacity
handling, commissary, and rail support
for commuter trains and expansion of Amtrak
functions in space below the station tracks,
fleet storage and maintenance facilities. The
thereby providing secure facilities that do
plan will enhance the capacity available for
not conflict with the public and passenger
mid-day storage of commuter trains within
spaces above. Station servicing and loading
the existing limits of the terminal. However,
dock facilities will be provided on the lowest
at some point in the future, the capacity of
level of the station complex, connected via
the existing facilities will be reached and the
service passageways to the existing station
PH AS E I EAST-WEST SECTION
East Side Run-Thru Tracks
2
West Side Stub End Tracks
3
Train Shed
Washington Union Terminal Master Plan development of a new commuter storage yard on a new parcel of land will be required.
4
West Concourse
The Master Plan identifies potential sites
5
Central Concourse
the terminal’s approach tracks and junctions
6
Parking
that will also be required to increase the
7
Service
Washington (and between Union Station and
8
Air Rights Development
for these functions, and improvements to
volume of trains that can operate to and from the servicing facilities at Ivy City). Stat i o n Suppo r t Fa c i l i t i e s
The Master Plan includes a detailed program of support uses at the station today and projected space needs for the future. Projected space needs vary based upon function, but overall space needs to support train growth are generally expected to double during the 15-20 year life of the plan. A number of near-term opportunities for support space are identified in the plan and will be studied moving forward, including acquisition or lease of space adjacent to the station. Ultimately, full development of all phases of the plan will provide for the ability to locate all crew base, baggage
a m tra k .co m
Page 12 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
May 18 , 2012
and to the service elevators leading to the platforms.
(LO
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
8
8 3
R B U I L D W I T H P L AT F O R M E L . + 9 1. 5 ’
2
MARC D E I S E L T R AC KS
MAIN LEVEL EL . +58.5’
1
1S T S T R E E T LOWER LEVEL EL. +42’
METRO
PA R K I N G E L . +2 0 ’
4
5
PA R K I N G EL . +8.5’
9
PA R K I N G E L . -3 ’
6
PA R K I N G E L . - 14 . 5 ’
7
SERVICE E L . -2 9 ’
WA S H I N G TO N U N I O N S TAT I O N
Diagrammatic future Phase 4 cross section looking
F utu r e P o s s i b i l i t i e s
north showing lower level tracks and platforms.
a bored tunnel from Union Station northeast
While the Master Plan improvements will
to the vicinity of the Anacostia River. An
allow Amtrak and the commuter railroads
additional tunnel would connect the station
to maximize the existing rail infrastructure
with new train storage and maintenance
at the terminal, demand for rail service will
facilities in the Ivy City area. Additionally,
someday rise to the level where the practical
the plan provides that future tracks from
capacity of these facilities is reached. This
the lower level of Union Station could be
could happen as early as 2030, depending
extended to the south, enabling extension
overall rail system capacity. To provide for
service to Virginia, North Carolina, and the southeastern United States.
1
PH AS E II EAST-WEST SECTION
East Side Run-Thru Tracks
2
West Side Stub End Tracks
3
Train Shed
Washington Union Plan inMarch 28 , 2012of high-performance high-speed rail on the paceTerminal of growth Master and investment
4
West Concourse
this future capacity the Master Plan allows
5
Central Concourse
tracks and platforms in a zone beneath the
Collectively, all of the improvements envisioned in the Master Plan would generate
for the development of a new lower level of
6
Parking
west side stub tracks that can be excavated
7
Service
to create six additional station tracks (or up
a quantum increase in the capacity of the
to nine if needed for additional capacity).
terminal, setting it up to serve local, regional,
8
Air Rights Development
9
Lower Level Tracks
and national transportation needs through The lower-level development would provide
the 21st Century.
space for a new concourse for Amtrak, in-between the upper and lower platform levels, with dedicated facilities for Amtrak passengers including a reception area, ticketing, baggage claim, waiting areas, and first class lounges. This new Amtrak concourse would be beneath the central skylights of both the Central Concourse and the train shed, allowing abundant natural light. The areas available for Amtrak passengers would be ample enough to support a potential four-fold increase in the volume of peak hour intercity traffic. The lower track level would be connected to the Northeast Corridor main line by means of
Prepared for Amtrak by Parsons Brinckerhoff & HOK | Page 13
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(LOO
July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
Escalators down to the Central Concourse in the train shed. The vegetated roof and Air Rights development can also be seen.
a m tra k .co m
Page 14 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
A M u lt i m o d a l Fa c i l i t y
Already a major regional transportation hub,
routes for commuters to travel between
Union Station’s importance will grow as the
trains and the Metro.
level of rail and transit ridership increases in the future. As many as 100,000 rail
Metror ail
and transit passenger trips are made daily
Currently WMATA’s busiest station, 68,000
through Union Station, making it one of the
metrorail passengers utilize Union Station
nation’s busiest rail stations. The station
each weekday. Today, the greatest points
is a true multi-modal facility with access
of congestion within the station surround
to intercity and commuter rail, Metrorail,
the Metrorail’s access points. The Master
intercity, commuter and local buses, taxis,
Plan incorporates Metrorail’s near-term
cars, pedestrians, bicycles and, in the near
station improvements at the north mezzanine
future, a streetcar line.
and provides a new pedestrian network at the Metrorail mezzanine level that
Union Station originally had a simple
offers convenient connections to all of the
arrangement of public spaces that was
passenger concourses and to 1st Street
well understood by passengers, but the
and NoMa via the West Concourse. The
station has become complex and unclear
Master Plan also recognizes that at some
with changes over time. Today there are
point in the future the Metrorail Red Line
unmarked station entrances, intersecting
will reach its capacity at Union Station, and
and conflicting paths of travels, and
anticipates new Metrorail capacity serving
safety concerns related to small carts and
Union Station. WMATA, operator of the
electrified service vehicles. Recognizing
Metrorail, has initiated long-range planning
the problems that currently exist, the
for a possible new line serving Union Station,
USRC is in the process of implementing a
but a preferred alignment has not yet been
comprehensive and coordinated system of
identified, and thus the Master Plan allows
signage and graphics to assist pedestrians.
for future pedestrian connections to a new
The Master Plan builds upon this system
Metrorail station in any of several possible
and employs spatial planning principles that
configurations.
focus on axial concourses that utilize natural light where possible.
St r e e tc a r
The District of Columbia Department of The Master Plan improves passenger flows
Transportation (DDOT) has planned a
and relieves congestion within the station
network of streetcar tracks that will connect
by spreading people over a much larger area
Union Station along H Street and Benning
of the station complex. The plan increases
Road to the east, and along K Street to
the size of concourses, waiting areas and
Georgetown to the west. The Master Plan
vertical circulation elements and more evenly
addresses both long-term and interim goals
distributes railroad passenger loads among
for the streetcar program. To address the
multiple concourses, with several possible
long-term goal, the Master Plan assumes
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EEN SPACE
V ERTICA L CIRCUL ATION
TOTA L TR K S
25K
NE
NE
NE
ET
EET
EET
TR H S
TRE G S
July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
CN N CA R E
GPO
FIRS T
P OS TA L SQUA R E U NIO N
A PA
7 7K
CEN T ER
KING
PL A Z A
7
7
1
CONCOURSE C
5 PA R K I N G
AMTR AK SUPPORT
AC C E S S F R O M
PA R K I N G
FUNCTIONS
B E L OW
2
2
7
REA BUILDING
7
S TAT I O N P L AC E
2ND
STR
6
B E L OW
AC C E S S F R O M
ING
ASS
PA R K I N G /
AC C E S S
ERP
4
CENTR AL CONCOURSE
UND
TA X I S TAG I N G
B U S T E R M I N A L & PA R K I N G
EET
R E TA I L
R K ST
R E TA I L
AG E
5
SS T PA
3
RKE
R E TA I L
2
MA
WEST CONCOURSE R E TA I L CONCOURSE B
METRO
7
1S T S T R EE T
S EN AT E SQUA R E
EET
CA PITO L P L ACE
in front of the main station entrance on .5’ ) (+20 - +42
NE
NE
PH AS E I FIRST STREET LEVEL Metrorail Parking
could descend directly down the H Street
Washington Union Terminal Master Plan July 17 , 2012 underpass concourse. An interim plan for the
Columbus Plaza, adding to congestion
and disrupting the visual imagery of Union
3
Taxi
streetcar has been developed that provides
4
Intercity Bus
permits construction of the Master Plan. The
The Master Plan addresses the need for buses in two ways. First, a new off-street
Station from Capitol Hill.
easy access to Union Station and also
5
Tourist Bus
Master Plan provides efficient and seamless
6
Metrobus
connections between the streetcar and
bus terminal that can both meet today’s
all other modes of transportation at Union
demand and allow for future growth is
Station.
planned for the below-grade zone at the
7
Pedestrian Entrance
a m tra k .co m
north end of the station complex. Locating Bu s e s
the Bus Terminal at the northern end
Intercity, Circulator, Metrobus, commuter
of the station complex helps to better
and tour buses serve Union Station. Buses
distribute pedestrians within the complex
can be accessed from the Bus Deck on the
and provides a northern “anchor” for the
lowest level of the parking garage and in the
Central Concourse. Bus passengers will
front of the Station in Columbus Plaza. Tour
have direct access to concourses lined with
bus activity peaks in the spring and summer
shops, cafés and restaurants that have
seasons with 23 buses per hour and 1,300
vitality and sunlight from skylights, as well
passengers in the afternoon. With the recent
as direct pedestrian connections to all other
addition of Megabus and BoltBus services,
transportation modes. Secondly, those
there are expected to be a peak of forty-
local and commuter bus services that remain
three buses per hour and 3,200 to 4,400
at the street level will be better organized,
passengers, adding further congestion to
consolidated and routed to a more limited
the over-capacity station concourses. Local
number of bus stops around the perimeter
Metrobus and express bus routes operate on
of the station site, with improved pedestrian
Massachusetts Avenue, North Capitol Street
connections to and from the station complex.
and H Street with multiple stops serving
The specific solution for local bus service and
Page 16 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
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tourist bus services operate at the curb
In inclement weather, streetcar passengers
EET
between bus routes. Additionally, several
Street via the train shed station entrance.
EET
intermodal connections and connections
Bridge with access to the station from H
TR K S
R I ST
Union Station – providing relatively poor
positioned on the crest of the H Street
ET
2
TRE H S
1
a streetcar station at Union Station E T N
of transport.
E TRE G S
1st Street Plan showing connection to various modes
EEN SPACE
V ERTICA L CIRCUL ATION
TOTA L
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary 25K NE
NW
NE
EET
NE
STR
EET
EET
ET
TH
OL
TR K S
TR H S
TRE G S
NOR
IT CAP
CN N CA R E
GPO
FIRS T
P OS TA L SQUA R E
E
U NIO N
S
A PA
7 7K
TR
CEN T ER
E E
PL A Z A
T N W
4
1S T S T R EE T
5
W
2
3 5
1
4 COLUMBUS PL A ZA
5
TR AIN SHED
K-TOW E R
5
REA BUILDING
S EN AT E S TAT I O N P L AC E
SQUA R E 2ND
STR
EET
CA PITO L P L ACE
the queues of taxicabs from the surface roadways surrounding the station. Removing
2
Greenway
3
Bicycle
must navigate their way from the trains to
the visual and environmental impacts of
4
Taxi
the single taxi stand located at the front of
the taxi operation in that area, and allow an
the station. Passengers with baggage must
alternative vision for Columbus Circle would
travel over 2,000 feet if they are seated in
be a pedestrian friendly public plaza free of
the northern most train car and traverse a
vehicles.
5
Pedestrian Entrance
taxis from Columbus Plaza would also reduce
maze of passageways and halls to the taxi stand. At peak conditions, the queue for
Pa r k i n g
today’s taxi service can extend around the
The existing Union Station parking garage
station through the bus deck onto the H
provides approximately 2,200 parking
Street Bridge. Similarly, queues for arriving
spaces for visitors to Union Station, and
passengers can extend from the taxi pick up
general neighborhood parking, and currently,
stand to the eastern end of the arcade at the
only a small percentage of Amtrak and
front of the station.
commuter rail passengers drive and park at the station. With the improved multi-modal
In the short term, operational changes can be
connections provided by the Master Plan, the
made with limited operating costs to alleviate
percentage of passengers getting to or from
this condition. Over the long term, providing
the station by private auto is expected to
multiple taxi stands and pick up points would
drop even further – making Union Station one
reduce wait times and queue lengths. The
of the top rail stations in the U.S. in terms of
Master Plan considers multiple taxi stand
the share of passengers using transit. Even
locations near the new station entrances.
so, the total future requirement for parking
It is also possible within the Master Plan to
at Union Station will increase to 5,000 cars,
bring the taxi staging and primary drop-
including Amtrak and retail requirements,
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NE
Washington Union Terminal Master Plan July 17 , 2012 Currently, business and leisure travelers
NE
Ta x i s
EET
to the passenger concourses and removing
TR K S
passengers to access taxis directly adjacent
next phase of master planning.
EET
levels of the station complex, enabling rail
detailed traffic study to be undertaken in the
PH AS E I ROOF PL AN Streetcar
R I ST
off and pick-up functions within the lower
the station will be determined as a result of a
ET
1
vehicular traffic in general in the vicinity of E T N
connections and air rights development.
TRE H S
Preliminary H Street FEDER A L J UPlan DICI A showing L CEN T ER multimodal
E TRE G S
T H U RGOO D M A RS H A L L B UIL DIN G /
July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
The Greenway as seen from 1st street looking north with the air rights development office & hotel buildings. Image courtesy of Akridge/SBA.
rental cars, taxi queueing, and parking for the
bikestation located at the southwest corner
new commercial and residential space in the
of the historic building with storage for 150
air rights development.
bicycles; and a bikeshare station located at the southeast corner of station. The
The Master Plan provides for this parking in
Master Plan promotes the use of bicycles by
several locations: below the new east side
extending the existing Metropolitan Branch
tracks and platforms, above the tracks in a
bike trail approximately one mile from its
single level of parking below the air rights
current terminus at the NOMA-Gallaudet U
development, and ideally, south of the station
(New York Ave) Metrorail station to the Union
below lots controlled by other stakeholders.
Station bikestation. The new bike path will
The plan calls for 2,500 parking spaces
be part of a proposed Greenway along the
below the east side tracks in a garage that
west edge of the Union Station complex.
would have immediate access to the Central
Bikesharing facilities also might be added
Concourse. In the southern location the
along the Greenway corridor, providing full-
plan identifies a potential for 1,500 parking
service opportunities for bicyclists.
spaces in a multi-story parking garage below Columbus Plaza and in lots controlled by the Architect of the Capitol. If the southern parking locations prove infeasible, the below station option could be expanded to allow for required parking growth. B i c yc l e s
Washington DC and surrounding jurisdictions have been in the forefront nationally in promoting a sustainable and healthy form of transportation - the bicycle. At Union Station there are two bicycle facilities: a
a m tra k .co m
Page 18 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
A New Urban Pl ace
The Master Plan sees Union Station as
development envelope at the H Street level
much more than just the region’s premier
to include approximately three million square
transportation gateway and passenger rail
feet of mixed-use space, in addition to the
station; but also as an invigorated urban
train shed.
center and a destination unto itself for tourists, visitors, workers and residents.
A N e t w o r k of P u b l i c Spa c e s
This requires that the development above
The Master Plan incorporates a vision for the
the tracks and platforms be completely
air rights development that will complement
integrated with the transportation functions
and enhance the public infrastructure
below, and also with the surrounding
proposed in the plan, and has been developed
neighborhoods. The air rights development
as a collaboration between USRC, Amtrak,
plan focuses on a sequence of public spaces:
Akridge and other stakeholders. The
the new train shed, public plazas and streets
geometry of the buildings at H Street
surrounding the train shed, an open space
is driven by extension of a planning grid
network north of H Street, and the proposed
from surrounding streets, the overarching
bicycle and pedestrian greenway on the west
requirement for daylight, and access to the
of the site. At street level, a new network
public and rail passenger concourses below.
of entrances will connect to the station
The focal point of H Street is a grand plaza
concourses and serve an important civic
and a new northern entrance to Union Station
function as extensions of the public realm.
which has dramatic views of the concourses, trains and platforms below. To the north
T h e A i r R i g h t s D e v e l opm e n t
of H Street, this plaza will provide a vibrant
In 2006, the Federal government sold the
public space with retail and restaurants, and
air-space above Union Station’s tracks and
connect to quiet neighborhood parks.
platforms as a redevelopment opportunity to Akridge, a local, Washington based
An overarching theme of the Master Plan
commercial real estate firm. The sale
is connectivity, and this applies not just
provided for fourteen acres of potential
to connections between transit systems,
developable area, separated into two parcels
but also the connectivity between the
north and south of the H Street bridge.
transportation systems and the surrounding
After several years of work by the District of
city. Pierre L’Enfant’s 1791 plan for the
(lower) The reconstructed K Tower as a destination
Columbia Office of Planning, neighborhood
City of Washington depicted Delaware
bar/restaurant in the air rights development. Images
stakeholders, and Akridge and its design
Avenue as an axial boulevard beginning at
courtesy of Akridge/SBA.
team, the DC Zoning Commission rezoned
the Capitol and heading northeast. As part
the air rights property in 2011. The new
of the 1901 McMillian Plan for Washington,
zone established general parameters
Daniel Burnham sited Union Station and the
including acceptable building heights,
new railroad embankment directly on this
uses, and design criteria, and established
axis, which consolidated the railroads at a
a multiple-stage public review process for
single terminal and removed the train tracks
future applications within the air rights
from the National Mall. Unfortunately, this
space. The Master Plan envisions the
decision cut off the boulevard at the front of
(above) View of Delaware Avenue looking south from H Street with the new north entrance to Union Station and residential buildings.
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Aerial View of air rights development, historic station and train shed as seen from the east with a view looking down H Street. Image courtesy of Akridge/ SBA.
a m tra k .co m
Page 20 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
The Greenway as seen from 1st street looking north with the air rights development office & hotel buildings. Image courtesy of Akridge/SBA.
the station and separated the neighborhoods
right-of-way, connecting NoMa to the north
on both sides of the railroad from each
with Union Station, Metro, and Capitol Hill,
other. The Master Plan places the Central
providing a dramatic civic amenity and linear
Concourse along the main axis of the historic
park. The proposed greenway will run along
station, evoking the original idea of Delaware
the west edge of the air rights development
Avenue, and connecting Columbus Plaza and
and will be used by station passengers,
the historic Capitol Hill neighborhood to the
workers, residents, cyclists, and visitors to
south and east with NoMa and the air rights
the Union Station district. The greenway is
development above. The West Concourse will
planned as a beautifully landscaped outdoor
enhance the west edge of the station, linking
space providing a raised extension of the
the Union Station Metro with 1st Street
Metropolitan Branch Trail bike path and
and NoMa. These two public north-south
pedestrian walkway, and connecting with
concourses will also connect vertically to the
the NoMa- Gallaudet U Metrorail Station and
H Street level at multiple locations.
NoMa’s planned park at L Street.
The H Street level is envisioned as a network of urban streets and blocks, with vehicular access from the crest of the H Street Bridge into the northern and southern portions of the air rights development. The visual alignment of 1st Street NE extends into the site, with an axial view corridor from the north that provides vistas of the new grand train shed. A mix of commercial buildings, offices, residences and hotels form a perimeter around the edge of the site arranged around well-landscaped public plazas of varying sizes and configurations. The lowest level of each building will have rich and vibrant retail activities that will further invigorate the public plazas. K Tower, an original Burnham brick structure currently housing the terminal’s train control center, will be relocated onto the deck and repurposed as a bar/restaurant when the train control functions are moved to another location. T h e G r e e n way
The Master Plan also proposes the construction of a greenway above the Metro
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July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
Imp l e m e n t i n g t h e P l a n Drivers
Pa ss e n g e r g r o w t h s tat i o n us a g e e xc e e ds c a pa c i t y
a i r - r i g h t s d e v e l o pm e n t
T r a ck & P l at f o r m d e f i c i e n c i e s
I n c r e a s e d Pa r k i n g & B us d e m a n ds
supp o r t fa c i l i t i e s i n a d e qu at e
g a r a g e c o l um n s l i m i t p l at f o r m c a pa c i t y
Pa ss e n g e r g r o w t h
m e t r o r a i l r e d l i n e at c a pa c i t y
D D o t S t r e e t c a r i mp l e m e n tat i o n
r a i l g r o w t h e xc e e ds t r a ck c a pa c i t y
a i r - r i g h t s d e v e l o pm e n t
n e c H i g h sp e e d r a i l g r o w t h
Actions
1
2
3
4
Phase 3 - west side & tr ain shed 2 0 2 3 -2 0 2 8
P h a s e 1 i m m e d i at e a c t i o n 2 0 13 - 2 0 17 E x i s t i n g C o n c o u r s e i mp r o v e m e n t s
d e m o l i sh g a r a g e
2 n e w t r a cks & p l at f o r ms
S t ub - E n d t r a ck & p l at f o r m i mp r o v e m e n t s
C r e w b a s e r e l o c at i o n
t r a i n sh e d c o n s t r uc t i o n Phase 2 - east side 2 0 18 - 2 0 2 2
P h a s e 4 - f u t u r e c a pa c i t y 2028+
E a s t s i d e t h r u t r a ck & p l at f o r m r e c o n s t r uc t i o n
New Metror ail line
n e w b e l o w g r a d e pa r k i n g
l o w e r l e v e l t r a cks & n e w c o n c o u r s e
a dd e d t r a ck c a pa c i t y
Phasing
relocation of crew and rail support facilities
The strategy for implementation of the plan
that will increase crew efficiency and
includes a phased approach to construction,
promote employee welfare.
with costs and benefits carefully balanced throughout the implementation period. The
Phase 2 includes reconstruction of the east
Master Plan envisions a phased construction
side of the rail yard - providing all new tracks
effort over a 15-20 year period, designed to
that run through the 1st Street tunnel to
minimize disruption to the station users and
Virginia and points south of DC. The eastern
the surrounding neighborhoods, and create
portions of the Concourses A, B, and C will
tremendous flexibility by incorporating a
be constructed and put into service, as
top-down construction approach. The four
well as a portion of the Central Concourse.
phases of implementation include:
New below-grade parking that will provide immediate access to the station concourses
Phase 1, includes early action projects to
will be constructed, replacing and expanding
facilitate subsequent construction phases
the existing parking in the USRC structure,
and relieve existing passenger and train
and allowing its removal in Phase 2. The
congestion. Significant improvements to
Phase 2 construction will also allow for
Concourse A will be undertaken, and the
construction of the east half of the air rights
construction of two new tracks and one new
development.
platform on the west side of the rail yard
a m tra k .co m
completed. This will provide the capacity
Phase 3 introduces the new train shed to
needed for rail operations to continue during
Union Station, with the renovation of the
the remaining construction phases, as the
west side of the rail yard, including the
tracks and platforms can then be taken out
terminal (stub end) tracks. To accomplish
of service while they are reconstructed.
this, the parking structure is removed and
Phase 1 also includes modernization and
the train shed is constructed, along with
Page 22 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
completion of the Central Concourse, the
allowances for design and other ancillary
west halves of Concourses B and C, and the
costs associated with implementation. In
West Concourse.
addition to the railroad infrastructure and train station improvements, the cost will
View of the historic station, train shed and air rights development from the southwest. Image courtesy of Akridge/SBA.
Phase 4 provides the opportunity for
also cover: civil and structural work to
future construction to expand station
create a below-grade structural envelope
capacity significantly, with the provision of
within which multi-modal, multi-purpose
new lower level tracks, platforms, and an
facilities will be located; construction of
Amtrak passenger concourse below the
the deck supporting the planned air rights
west side stub end tracks. While the full
development (though not the buildings on the
realization of Phase 4 is not included in the
deck); and civic improvements, comprising
cost estimate included in this report, the
the proposed greenway, bicycle trail, new
Phase 3 construction and cost does include
station entrances, improvements to the
construction of the foundation and structural
historic station building, a new below-grade
system, and the spacing of the tracks and
bus terminal and taxi staging area, and a new
platforms that will accommodate the future
district utility plant.
Phase 4 of station development. This spending is estimated to have an impact C o n s t r uct i o n M e t h o d
on the Washington area economy of between
Construction will be implemented in a
$13.5 to $15 billion in gross regional product
top-down approach, permitting tracks
over the same 15-20 year construction
and platforms to be built first and allowing
period. By the end of this period, preliminary
the air rights platform and below-grade
estimates indicate nearly 7,000 full-time
levels to be constructed simultaneously,
employees will work at the Washington Union
or afterwards. Creating the foundations
Terminal and Burnham Place Development.
and support structure for the reconfigured
The average annual temporary construction
train station will require a higher initial
employment over the fifteen-year period is
investment, but this up-front construction
preliminarily estimated to exceed 3,000 full-
creates the opportunity for the construction
time employees. Additionally, by increasing
of future tracks and platforms, concourses,
the number of rail passengers arriving at
and station support facilities. The top-
Union Station, the community should expect
down construction method proposed in the
to see a dramatic increase in revenue from
Master Plan allows major investments in new
lodging, food and beverage, entertainment,
capacity to occur as needed, with the scope
retail purchases, and local transportation.
and timing of future investments based on travel demand and the availability of
By making this investment into Washington
resources. Top-down construction leverages
Union Station, the city and region receive
the available untapped real estate that exists
enormous benefits. There will be room for
beneath the tracks and platforms, which
comfortably triple the number of passengers
is important as station facilities can not be
and double the number of trains within the
expanded upwards or laterally.
same Union Station footprint. Commuters will be able to move expeditiously through
Cost and Benefits
the station to their connections. It creates
The projected construction spending for
beautiful public spaces that can be enjoyed
redevelopment of Washington Union Terminal
for decades to come, and knits the city of
and Burnham Place is estimated between
Washington together in a way that has not
$8 and $9.5 billion (2012 dollars), with the
been possible for 100 years. Finally, Union
estimated cost for the station reconstruction
Station itself will become a destination
and terminal capacity expansion between
for the city, a magnet for commercial
$6.5 and $7.5 billion (2012 dollars). This
and cultural events, in addition to the
provides for the construction of Phases 1,
transportation benefits that it brings.
2, and 3, and includes contingencies and
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July 25th 2012 | Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C.
C o n c l us i o n
The train shed looking southwest showing the vegetated green roof.
This Master Plan is the right plan at the
The Master Plan will promote the health
right time for Washington Union Station.
and prosperity of the entire metropolitan
The Master Plan builds facilities for the
region, including Washington, Maryland,
next century for railroad and transit
and Virginia. As the most significant hub in
passengers that are modern, safe, secure
the regional transportation system, Union
and code-compliant. It creates capacity to
Station plays a vital role in connecting jobs
accommodate future service changes and
to people, and is essential to broad-based
ridership growth, provides the highest quality
regional economic growth. By creating
passenger experience and adds vitality to the
station and commercial development that
neighborhood surrounding the station.
is well-integrated with the surrounding neighborhoods and well-connected to the
The Master Plan will allow Washington
multi-modal regional transportation system,
Union Station to expand its capacity to
Union Station will become even more of a
accommodate up to triple the number of
regional destination.
passengers and double the number of trains using Union Station over a 15 to 20
Implementing the Master Plan requires a
year period, within the existing footprint of
major investment and requires decisions
Union Station. An integral part of Amtrak’s
to be made soon to create the institutional
Northeast Corridor investment plan, the
framework necessary to pursue necessary
Master Plan will enable trainsets to be
funding and deliver a series of complex
lengthened, train service frequencies to
capital projects in an efficient and timely
be increased, and new train services not
manner. The project will require funding
currently offered on the Northeast Corridor
beyond the traditional sources from which
to be introduced. It unlocks six million square
capital investments are made by the railroads
feet of station development below and three
and Washington area transportation
million square feet of air rights development
agencies. However, the benefits of the plan
above.
are far-reaching, the need is great, and a collective effort to implement the Master
The Master Plan will enhance the quality
Plan will be more productive and cost-
of the passenger experience by creating a
effective than if each player were to attempt
world-class transportation hub that anchors
to meet its needs individually at separate
the U.S. East Coast passenger rail network
locations.
for the next century. Providing superior performance for the fundamental train
The challenges facing the future of
station and multi-modal transportation
Washington Union Station can be seen
terminal functions, the Master Plan will
as opportunities. We have a once-in-a-
make travel faster and more convenient for
generation opportunity to secure the long-
passengers. The improved station facilities
range transportation and economic future
will celebrate intercity travel, and they will
of the Washington region and Northeast
let commuters find the shortest and most
mega-region by equipping Washington Union
convenient pathways to and from their trains.
Station for its second century of successful service to the traveling public.
a m tra k .co m
Page 24 | © 2012 National Railroad Passenger Corporation. All Rights Reserved
Union Station Master Plan, Washington D.C. | Executive Summary
Ack n o w l e d g m e n t s
Pl an Funded By
National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Virginia Railway Express (VRE)
C o l l a b o r ato r s
Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) Virginia Railway Express (VRE) Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (VDRPT) Akridge
C oo r d i n at i n g Pa r t i e s
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) District of Columbia Department of Transportation (DDOT) District of Columbia Office of Planing (DCOP) United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
P r of e s s i o n a l C o n t r i b uto r s
Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) HOK LAB Inc. Shalom Baranes Associates (SBA) Faithful+Gould (F+G) Fore Consulting, Inc.
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