Trump’s Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy Hits Another Key Milestone in Washington Union Station Overhaul, Scraps Biden-Buttigieg Boondoggle
WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy today announced the Department’s plans to engage the private sector in the overhaul of Washington Union Station. The Department is investing an additional $24 million into developing a public-private partnership that will be utilized in plans to expand capacity, enhance the passenger experience, and expedite the project’s timeline.
This builds on the Department’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the station including Secretary Duffy’s May announcement unveiling a $466 million investment into the station to fast-track critical structural repairs, expand the passenger concourse, enhance security, and add family-friendly infrastructure.
Last year, Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) Boards of Directors unanimously agreed to restore strong federal control of the facility under Secretary Duffy through a cooperative agreement. Under Secretary Duffy, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has scrapped the Biden-Buttigieg Administration’s boondoggle plan to pour over $10 billion of taxpayer money into a far-fetched expansion without addressing the critical needs of the historic station.
“Overhauling the historic Washington Union Station is a pivotal part of President Trump’s plan to make D.C. beautiful and safe. This is the gateway to our nation’s capital–it’s time its infrastructure reflect that,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “We’re not just throwing money at the problem like the last administration did. We’re thinking strategically and creating a public-private partnership to deliver meaningful upgrades to Union Station, ensure long-term profitability for this gorgeous transportation monument, and better serve the millions of travelers who rely on this critical transit hub."
“We have historic momentum to deliver the rail upgrades needed to move passengers and freight safely and efficiently for generations to come,” said U.S. Deputy Transportation Secretary Steve Bradbury. “Thanks to President Trump, we have officially entered the Golden Age of Rail.”
“This funding allows us to partner with the private sector to engage the industry’s best ideas for
the station’s future expansion through a vision that is both ambitious and achievable,” said Doug Carr, President and CEO of Union Station Redevelopment Corporation. “It’s a critical opportunity to reimagine the project and develop a clear, fundable path forward for the future of Union Station. We appreciate the ongoing support and investment from the U.S. Department of Transportation and for recognizing the station’s redevelopment as a national priority.”
“The Trump Administration and Secretary Duffy are ensuring that travelers will benefit from an expertly renovated facility with increased capacity and world-class passenger amenities,” said FRA Administrator David Fink.
“Washington Union Station is a vital transportation gateway for millions of travelers who pass through it each year,” said Amtrak President Roger Harris. “Amtrak looks forward to continuing our work with USDOT, FRA, and USRC to improve the customer experience and support the station’s long-term future.”
Additional Information:
Mirroring the approach used for the New York Penn Station Transformation project, partners USRC and Amtrak are leveraging cost-effective design and construction techniques to attract private investment. Meanwhile, FRA is conducting a service optimization study to maximize passenger benefits and keep operations running smoothly during construction.
Unlike the failed Biden-Buttigieg Administration’s plan for Union Station–which would have cost at least $10 billion and dragged on for more than a decade–the redevelopment plan will address the critical underlying infrastructure needs of the historic station on a shorter timeline while controlling costs.
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