Amtrak will use a portion of its $2.45 billion investment package in next-generation high-speed Acela Express trainsets and Northeast Corridor (NEC) infrastructure improvements to fund construction for the modernization of Washington Union Station’s passenger rail concourse and the expansion of Amtrak’s D.C.-based fleet maintenance facility.

The investment will fund full-phase construction of Amtrak’s Concourse Modernization Project — announced in March — a near-term comprehensive renovation of Washington Union Station’s intercity and commuter concourse that will double the concourse’s current capacity and upgrade key customer amenities including new restrooms, boarding gates, seating and ClubAcela lounge. Design for the project, previously funded with contributions from Amtrak and the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC), is already well underway.

Early action construction will start in the fall of 2016 and include the relocation of heating and ventilation. Full-phased construction, funded by the new investment package, is anticipated to start in 2017 and will seek to minimize impacts to all station users.

The Concourse Modernization project is the first set of improvements to come to life as part of Washington Union Station’s 2nd Century plan, a comprehensive improvement initiative comprised of multiple projects in coordination with USRC, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and private real estate developer Akridge.

“We are elated that a District of Columbia landmark that is utilized by thousands of residents and visitors each and every day will receive a fresh start,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser. “This investment in Union Station by the Obama Administration and Amtrak is truly monumental.”

In addition to concourse improvements, funding will be used to modify Amtrak’s fleet maintenance facility in Washington, D.C. The existing two-track high-speed maintenance building in Amtrak’s Ivy City Yard will be expanded to enclose a third track, which supports the creation of highly-technical jobs for the District of Columbia as well as improve the on board and station customer experience that will accommodate the high-speed rail service levels.

Late last month, Amtrak announced it’s contracting with Alstom to produce 28 next-generation high-speed trainsets that will replace the equipment used to provide Amtrak’s premium Acela Express service. Amtrak is funding both the infrastructure improvements as well the new trainsets through the FRA’s Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing program, which will be repaid through growth in NEC revenues.

In addition to station improvements at Washington Union Station, customers will see improvements at Moynihan Station in New York City, and New Carrollton Station and Baltimore Penn Station in Maryland, as well as track capacity and ride quality improvements to the NEC that will benefit both Acela Express riders and other Amtrak and commuter passengers.