After Norton Opposed Original FRA Union Station Project Proposal, FRA Decides to "Review and Refine' Project

Press Release

Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) applauded the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) decision to "review and refine [Washington Union Station Expansion] project elements in cooperation with…key stakeholders." This decision came after Norton was able to get a provision included in the report accompanying the fiscal year 2021 appropriations bill that directed FRA to continue working with the District of Columbia on the Union Station Expansion Project (Project) and to consider the feedback of all stakeholders, including residents of affected neighborhoods, in its planning process.

Norton also wrote to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg requesting that he direct FRA to work with the D.C. government, the local community and other stakeholders to substantially revise FRA's original proposal for the Project. The letter can be found here.

Norton, along with key stakeholders and D.C. residents, has been an outspoken critic of elements of FRA's original proposal for the Project. The original proposal for the Project called for 1,575 parking places, a number which many stakeholders at the local and regional levels find concerning.

On April 30, 2020, Andrew Trueblood, Director of the D.C. Office of Planning (OP), wrote to FRA recommending between 295 and 375 parking spaces total. Trueblood further noted that the sought-after number of parking places in the thousands would undermine the District's key goals for the Project and provide less space for safe pedestrian and bicyclist mobility. The parking spaces also limit the area that could be used for more revenue-producing ventures like stores or restaurants.

"I am very pleased by the Federal Railroad Administration's decision to reconsider elements of the project following my input and that of D.C. agencies, stakeholders and the general public," Norton said. "The Washington Union Station Expansion Project is an undertaking of great significance to the District of Columbia, our region and our broader transportation system. Meaningful engagement and collaboration with stakeholders at all levels is critical to the success of this project. FRA's decision to revise their plans for this project is an important step toward prioritizing that collaboration. I strongly hope that Secretary Buttigieg will support and uphold FRA's commitment to work closely with stakeholders to ensure that this project moves forward in a manner that is responsive to the needs of the District and the region."

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