The U.S. Department of Transportation is putting another $24 million into developing a public-private partnership for the overhaul of Washington Union Station.
DOT says the partnership work is intended to produce a fundable path for expanding capacity, improving the passenger experience and shortening the project timeline. The announcement does not award a final construction contract or set a completion date.
The $24 million is separate from $466 million announced in May for structural repairs, a larger passenger concourse, security work and family-oriented infrastructure.
Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation agreed in 2025 to a cooperative arrangement that restored stronger federal control over the facility, according to DOT.
The Federal Railroad Administration is also conducting a service-optimization study. DOT says the work is meant to maximize passenger benefits while keeping operations moving during construction.
The department compares the delivery approach with the public-private model being pursued for New York Penn Station. Private participation can supply design, construction or financing capacity, but the announcement does not identify a selected partner, financing share or binding risk allocation.
DOT's release criticizes an earlier expansion concept as costing more than $10 billion. That characterization is the current administration's assessment; the release does not provide a like-for-like independent cost comparison.
Amtrak President Roger Harris called Union Station a gateway used by millions of travelers and said the railroad would continue working with DOT, FRA and USRC on the customer experience and station's long-term future.
For passengers, the immediate milestone is planning money and a delivery strategy. The practical scope, private contribution, procurement schedule and construction phasing remain to be established.