FRA solicits input on revised documents for Washington Union Station project

The Federal Railroad Administration last week issued updated draft documents related to the nearly $9 billion Union Station expansion project in Washington, D.C.

On May 12, the FRA released a supplemental draft environmental impact statement (SDEIS), draft programmatic agreement and draft section 4(f) evaluation for the project, which will expand and modernize the station built in 1908.

In June 2020, the FRA released the DEIS, which evaluated six action alternatives. After public and agency input, the FRA paused the environmental review process and, along with Amtrak and Union Station Redevelopment Corp., developed a new alternative. In June 2022, the FRA determined that alternative would be the preferred one.

The new preferred alternative includes significant changes that have the potential to alter the project's environmental impacts. Hence the documents needed updating, according to the SDEIS overview.

Comments on the SDEIS, draft programmatic agreement and draft section 4(f) evaluation are due July 6.