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Committee of 100 urges Union Station plan to prioritize rail capacity and run‑through commuter rail
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Summary
The Committee of 100 urged the Council to ensure Union Station renovation focuses on rail operations and long-term run‑through commuter rail capacity rather than prioritizing commercial redevelopment that could permanently constrain track and tunnel alignments.
The Committee of 100, a longstanding civic organization, told the transportation committee that the planned redevelopment of Union Station must explicitly prioritize rail capacity and future commuter‑rail run‑through capability.
James Smales, chair of the Committee's transportation subcommittee, said the region risks permanently losing future rail options if the Union Station expansion is built without guarantees for future rail alignment and capacity. "Our chief concern is run through commuter rail operations," Smales said. He warned that column or bridge placements associated with a new H Street bridge and adjacent development could constrain alignments needed for lower‑level access and the First Street Tunnel.
Smales said other East Coast cities have long ago preserved and expanded run‑through commuter rail options; Washington has lagged. He urged DDOT and council members to ensure the city's best long‑term transportation interests — not short‑term commercial uses inside the station — guide the redevelopment.
Ending: The Committee of 100 said it is ready to engage with DDOT, Amtrak, the Federal Railroad Administration and the council to craft designs and legal commitments that preserve options for future run‑through and expanded commuter service.
