The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) prepared an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate the potential impacts on the human and natural environment resulting from the Washington Union Station Expansion Project (Project).

FRA published the Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an EIS for the Project in the Federal Register on November 4, 2015.

FRA released the Draft EIS (DEIS) and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation for comment from agencies and the public on June 4, 2020. Comments were accepted through September 28, 2020. Following public review of the DEIS, FRA paused the EIS process. During the pause, FRA and the Project Proponents (Union Station Redevelopment Corporation and Amtrak) developed a new alternative (Alternative F) in response to the comments received on the 2020 DEIS. In July 2022, FRA identified Alternative F as the Preferred Alternative and initiated the preparation of a Supplemental DEIS (SDEIS), Draft Programmatic Agreement (PA), and Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation to assess the potential impacts of this alternative. On May 12, 2023, FRA released the SDEIS for public and agency comments. Comments on the SDEIS, Draft PA, and Draft 4(f) Evaluation were accepted through July 6, 2023.

On March 12, 2024, FRA signed a combined Final EIS (FEIS)/Record of Decision (ROD), including a Final Section 4(f) Evaluation and Final PA. The FEIS addresses the comments received on the DEIS, and the SDEIS and describes the impacts of the No-Action Alternative and the Preferred Alternative (Alternative F). The ROD documents and explains FRA’s decision to move forward with the implementation of Alternative F (Selected Alternative). For frequently asked questions, please visit the FAQ link.