Union Station (Washington Metro)
| Company type | Rapid transit station |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | March 27, 1976 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Area served | Washington, D.C. metropolitan area |
| Products | Metro rail services |
Union Station serves as a Washington Metro stop situated on the Red Line within Washington, D.C.. Positioned beneath the western section of Washington Union Station in the Northeast quadrant, this station lies directly under the city’s principal rail terminal. In 2024, it experienced an average daily entry count of 12,202 taps, ranking it as the busiest station in the entire Metro network.
Station layout
Union Station's design reflects the style of early Metro stations, showcasing concrete coffered vaults along its ceiling. One area features a recessed "box" carved out from the ceiling structure. The station employs an island platform configuration with two points of egress: a mezzanine located mid-platform that links to Union Station’s main concourse and Massachusetts Avenue, and a northern exit providing access to 1st Street NE and the primary boarding area. Between the mezzanine and platform, escalators flank an elevator shaft, a layout also found at Addison Road and North Bethesda stations.
History
The station commenced operations on March 27, 1976, originally named Union Station-Visitor Center coinciding with the Red Line launch. It adopted the simpler name "Union Station" in 1982 following the closure of the National Visitor Center.
Initially, soot accumulation from diesel locomotives at Union Station led to darker walls and reduced lighting quality. To address this, WMATA undertook a renovation in March 2017 costing between $75,000 and $100,000 to repaint surfaces white, enhancing brightness but triggering discussions between preservation advocates and commuters who preferred a cleaner visual environment.
From January 15 to 21, 2021, the station was closed for security reasons associated with the 2020 Inauguration. During this period, the street-level entrance on First Street was reconstructed to comply with accessibility regulations, incorporating additional fare gate areas and improved connections between platform and track.
Construction efforts also included creating a 600-foot pedestrian tunnel linking the north mezzanine to H Street NE; however, this tunnel was sealed prior to public use. WMATA currently utilizes it for equipment storage while future development plans consider integrating this passageway into station enhancements.
External links
- Articles with short description
- Stations on the Red Line (Washington Metro)
- Washington Metro stations in Washington, D.C.
- Railway stations in the United States opened in 1976
- 1976 establishments in Washington, D.C.
- Capitol Hill
- Railway stations located underground in Washington, D.C.
- Near Northeast (Washington, D.C.)