Van Hollen, Norton Introduce Bill to Make Union Station Eligible for Funding Under Federal Transportation Grant Programs

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) introduced a bill to make the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC), a nonprofit responsible for managing and operating Union Station in D.C., eligible for funding under several federal transportation grant programs.

“Union Station is the gateway to our nation’s capital for visitors and regional commuters alike, including thousands of Marylanders and District residents every day, but it is long overdue for critical upgrades. This legislation will unlock major federal funding opportunities for this important regional transit hub,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“Union Station is the second busiest Amtrak station in the country. It is an architectural marvel that has played a vital role in our nation’s history. Yet, it has not undergone major renovation in nearly 40 years,” Congresswoman Norton said. “The planned redevelopment and expansion of Union Station represents a historic transportation and economic development opportunity for D.C. and the National Capital Region, but billions of dollars are needed to carry it out. This bill would give USRC access to critical funding.”

Union Station is a vital local, regional and national intermodal transportation hub that welcomes approximately 70,000 travelers and visitors each day—more than either Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport or Washington Dulles International Airport. It is owned by the federal government, and USRC manages and operates it exclusively under a lease. Due to its federal ownership and management structure, it is currently ineligible for federal grant funding. As such, the station has not undergone major renovation since the 1980s.

Senator Van Hollen and Congresswoman Norton’s Union Station Redevelopment Corporation Funding Eligibility Act allows USRC to apply for funding under four major U.S. Department of Transportation infrastructure funding programs: the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail (FSP) Program, the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Program and the National Infrastructure Project Assistance Program, also known as the Mega Program.