Here's what Union Station in DC could look like in the future

One of the nation’s busiest and most iconic railroad stations is poised for a major overhaul. New design renderings shared publicly this week reveal the proposed plans for Union Station. Changes would not alter the 114-year-old station’s iconic, domed hall, but would significantly upgrade its aging concourses and railroad facilities.

The design renderings became public this week through a presentation to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, which is involved in the design approval process because of the historic nature of the D.C. rail station.

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As you can see in this aerial view of the proposed changes, the front of the station looks pretty much the same, with the iconic entrance intact on the historic building. Beyond that, things start to look really different.

The proposed design includes a spacious train hall flooded with natural light and arches, mezzanines and seriously upgraded passenger access to Amtrak trains, commuter rails and Washington Metro trains.

Here’s a view from atop one of the proposed train hall’s mezzanines.

The design calls for underground parking and improved bus facilities and concourses.

Since the federal government owns Union Station, the Federal Railroad Administration is leading the project. The multibillion-dollar improvement plan could certainly be a major candidate for a piece of the tens of billions in funding allocated for railroad improvements in last year’s bipartisan infrastructure bill.

Related: Amtrak wants to seize control of DC's Union Station

Considering Union Station is Amtrak’s second busiest in the country, perhaps the most critical part of these improvement plans is that it would boost railroad track capacity. In fact, the project could go as far as to double train capacity when factoring in Amtrak and commuter rail capacity expansion, according to Federal City Council, a D.C.-based non-profit advocating for Union Station improvements.

The project would likely be completed in phases if approved, and once work begins it is expected to take well over a decade.

Still, as train travel rebounds from the pandemic and enters an exciting new chapter, this could be a major boost at one of the most well-known stations in the country.