First-ever level platform in the state improves accessibility for all customers
BRATTLEBORO, Vt. – Amtrak, in conjunction with the town of Brattleboro, state of Vermont, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), New England Central Railroad (NECR) and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), broke ground today on a new Brattleboro Station and the state’s first-ever level boarding train platform. Customers will no longer require steps to get on or off a train for a more seamless and safer experience due to the new platform sitting 4 feet above the top of the rail. The new station will also have both interior and exterior accessible waiting areas, along with other modernization and accessible improvements inside, on the platform, and in the parking lot.
Amtrak Vice President, Accessibility, Stations and Facilities Dr. David Handera:
“Celebrating the groundbreaking for a new station and the state’s first-ever level boarding platform is a milestone we’re proud to accomplish with our partners. Combining these investments with other recent improvements Amtrak has made in the state of Vermont, creates a better overall train travel experience for the state’s residents and visitors.”
️“The federal funding from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will transform the Brattleboro rail station with new features and upgrades, putting rail travel in Vermont back on track for more travelers. I’m thrilled to see the funds we helped pass through this law go to good use right here in our state, and can’t wait to see the project completed. Everyone deserves to have a safe, comfortable, accessible experience while riding on Amtrak, and this project will help provide the Brattleboro station with important improvements to enhance passenger experience for all travelers,” said Senator Welch.
About the project: The new station will feature a waiting room with fixed seats for 36 passengers and additional standing room, and a new ADA-accessible single-occupant restroom.
- A covered, outdoor waiting area with benches and more standing room
- Other platform upgrades include a new electric snow melt system, lighting, railings, a detectable warning edge, and signage for a safer experience.
- Additionally, an art installation of the Brattleboro Words Trail, a multi-media, community-produced tribute to the rich and unique literary and cultural history of the Brattleboro area, will be featured on the track-facing outside wall of the building.
How it’s paid for: The project is primarily funded by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA)/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
Vermont & Amtrak Improvements: This project comes on the heels of recent improvements and investments Amtrak has made in the state of Vermont. This includes Amtrak’s $50 million investment in infrastructure, signal and track modernization between Springfield, Mass. and White River Junction., Vt. is scheduled to be completed in late 2024. These improvements will lead to faster, safer and more reliable service for the Vermonter, Ethan Allen Express and freight trains. In addition, Amtrak recently completed service improvements on the Ethan Allen Express that save 15 minutes of travel time.
The big picture: Amtrak has invested more than $880 million since 2011 in accessibility upgrades and improvement projects at 124 stations across the national network to ensure a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience for customers with disabilities. Another 35 stations are targeted for completion this fiscal year at a forecasted investment of $165 million.
