A BETTER COMMUTEIS POSSIBLE

FInd OUT MORE InSIdE

UNIONSTATION

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UNION STATIONMetro Center

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An HISTORIC OPPORTUnITy

More than 30 million passengers, tourists, and shoppers pass through Union Station each year – approximately 50 percent more than at Reagan National, Baltimore Washington, or Dulles International Airports. While the station’s vibrancy is a great success, passenger spaces and rail infrastructure are stretched to capacity.

Peak passenger usage at Union Station is projected to triple over the next two decades, presenting major challenges, but also significant opportunities for accommodating MARC, VRE, Amtrak, Metro, and other transit riders. The Union Station Master Plan, described in this brochure, presents dramatic yet practical improvements which would enable convenient, modern and safe access to the station for the daily commuter.

The plan, developed by Amtrak, MARC, VRE, and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation, can accommodate three times as many passengers by modernizing and expanding passenger and rail spaces, all while preserving the historic architectural design of the station. The Master Plan is complemented by Burnham Place, a collection of residential and commercial buildings laced with parks and plazas proposed by Akridge, a Washington, D.C.-based development firm.

The proposed improvements would gradually allow for more capacity on commuter rail and Metro, ultimately providing greater travel options for the daily commuter. These ideas lay the groundwork for an expanded and greatly improved commuter network that will accommodate future service growth and limit crowding at the current station. The Master Plan would re-make Union Station into a truly world-class transportation hub and a worthy gateway to the Nation’s Capital.Modernized concourses would improve passenger flow

and increase station capacity.

An iconic “greenway” along First Street, NE would help connect Union Station to the NoMa neighborhood and the rest of the city.

WE NEED YOUR HELPWhat can you do to make your commute better?

Visit www.UnionStationPlan.com to learn more, keep up to date and provide input on the plans.

A SMARTER COMMUTE

AN EcONOmic LiNcHPiNIn addition to improving the commute for hundreds of thousands of passengers, the Master Plan concepts would be a boon to the regional economy. By 2029*:• Theprojectwouldgenerate$14.3billioningrossregionalproductbenefitforD.C.,

Maryland, and Virginia.• Nearly7,000full-timeemployeesand1,800residentswouldworkandliveatthe

redeveloped Union Station and Burnham Place.• Constructionspendingwouldtotal$8.3billionandtheeffortwouldgenerate3,100full

time equivalent jobs per year.*Estimates by Fore Consulting, Inc.

• StreetcaralongKStreetintodowntownasasupplementtoMetro

• LightraillinefromUnionStationtoCapitolSouthMetro

• Enhancedconnectionstobuses,streetcarsandwalkingdestinations

• Additionalcapacityformorefrequentarrivalsanddeparturesalongeachcommuterline

• AdditionalPotomacRivercrossingcapacityforVREandAmtraktrains

• IncrementalinvestmenttofacilitateVREserviceintoMarylandandMARCserviceintoL’EnfantPlazaandNorthernVirginia

PlanningfornewMetroLine

WE’RE LiStENiNg MARC and VRE conducted an online surveyofridersinSeptember2012on the current station experience. We’ve included some of the most common feedback.

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East Side Run-Through Tracks

West Side Stub-End Tracks

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A FASTER COMMUTE

A new entrance to a grand Train Hall will transform the H Street Overpass and parking structure into a dynamic urban space.

SPEEDiNg UP YOUR DAYOne of the key benefits of the Union Station Master Plan is the significant time improvements for commuters, creating a faster and more efficient transit experience.

• Morehigh-levelplatformswouldallowtrainstounload more quickly

• Widerandclearerplatformswouldenablepassengersto get to their destinations faster

• Shorterwalkingdistancesthroughmultipleaccesspoints in new concourses

• Additionalstationentranceswouldprovidemoredirect routes to areas in and out of the station

• Improvedroutestotransit,includingMetrorailandbuses, as well as neighborhood destinations in NoMa and Capitol Hill

mAiN LEVEL

FiRSt StREEt LEVEL

cOmmUtE timES: BEFORE AND AFtERThe introduction of four new concourses on the First Street NE level along with improved rail platforms and additional station entrances will save commuters significant time during their morning and evening commute.

NOW PLANNED

Wait to exit train 3minutes 1minuteWalk to and from train door to Metro gates 16minutes 8minutesWalk to and from train door to NoMa (First St.NE) 24minutes 4minutesTrain Approach to Station 2minutes 1minute

Time Saved Per Day (Most commuters): 11 minutes

Time Saved Per Day (NoMa commuters): 23 minutes

WE’RE LiStENiNg

“There is currently not enough room for everyone to load and unload and it makes getting off the train and to the station door especially slow in the mornings.”

– Commuter Feedback

“We need better traffic flow and better configured parking spaces for waiting trains to eliminate the bottlenecks getting out of the station.”

– Commuter Feedback

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Circulation bottleneck at metro escalators relieved through 20 new escalators from platforms to concourses at metro level

Fewer double parked trains decreases walking distance

Circulation paths from vre platforms to metro and station exits

Multiple escalators on each platform eliminate circulation bottlenecks exiting trains and heading to metro

Wider and safer platforms provide long-needed weather protection

More platforms will be available to serve vre trains

Each platform offers 3 ways to get on and off the platforms

A SMOOTHER COMMUTE

The Master Plan proposes solutions to allow commuters to get where they need to go in the most efficient way possible. These images compare the existing station configuration along with a new concept. The level below the tracks (adjacent to the Metro and First Street exits) would be expanded, allowing MARC and VRE riders direct access to this level from all tracks.

Multiple columns impede circulation.

Columns located between tracks for column free platforms.

Random columns and narrow width do not allow space for seating.

Wider platforms provide space for new escalators and elevators to Concourses below.

Narrow Platform can only serve one train at a time.

Platform seating can be provided.

Luggage carts use pedestrian circulation space.

28’Feetwideplatformsprovide ample room for circulation.

Single Entry/Exit is constrained and inefficient.

Newly designed station platforms will make for a smoother, more passenger-friendly commute.

• Platformswillbe75percentwider,easingcongestion• Fewerobstructionswillenhancetrafficflow• Multipleentrancesandexitsavoidbottlenecks• Trainscanservebothsidesoftheplatformatonce• CoveredandventilatedplatformswithheatingandA/Cforimprovedcomfort• Morecommuter-orientedretail,food,andservices• Higherqualityandgreaternumberoftrainstatusboards

ONgOiNg imPROVEmENtSMany improvements to Union Station, providing immediate relief to daily challenges faced by commuters, are already underway, including:

• Columbus Circle and Plaza: Improved vehicle and pedestrian circulation, new traffic patterns, cross walks and lights, enhanced security, resurfaced roads, and sidewalks will greatly improve thecommuterexperience.(May2013–ProjectedCompletion)

• First Street, NE Metro and Station Entrance Area: A larger and relocated entryway, new stairway between the Metro and commuter train level, more fare gates, and wider sidewalks on FirstStreetwillmaketransfersandlevelchangesmoreefficient.(2013–ProjectedCompletionof Early Phases)

• Union Station Bus Deck: Expanded intercity bus operations include an enclosed waiting area, ticketingkiosk,vending,restrooms,andsignage.(Spring2013–ProjectedCompletion)

• Earthquake Repair: Improvements and plaster repairs including re-painting and re-gilding the goldcoffersintheMainHallceilingareongoingfollowingtheAugust2011earthquake.

This new station entrance from First and K Streets NE in NoMa will allow access to MARC and VRE trains through Concourse C or to Metro via the West Concourse.

WE’RE LiStENiNg “Every day there is gridlock from the platforms for the escalators. The mad dash for the area is extremely frustrating for the daily commuter.” – Commuter Feedback

WE’RE LiStENiNg “Union Station should offer a cleaner, more efficient and user-friendly space with better signs, lighting and waiting areas.” – Commuter Feedback

BEFORE AFtER

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Find out how to make your commute better at www.UnionStationPlan.com

The Master Plan retains historic Union Station while developing a new Central Concourse, Train Hall and Burnham Place above the existing rail yard. Courtesy:AkridgeandShalomBaranesAssociates