The first level platform at a railway station in the state of Vermont in the USA has been built at a new station in the town of Brattleboro, about ten miles from the state's border with Massachusetts.
Built as a partnership between the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), New England Central Railroad (NECR), and the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), providing platform-level boarding improves accessibility as it removes the need for steps to get on or off of trains, especially as the platform is 4 feet above rail level.
The new station also has both internal and external accessible waiting areas, and other modernisation and accessible improvements inside the station, on the platform, and in the parking lot.
There is a waiting room with 36 fixed seats and extra standing room, and a new ADA-accessible single-occupant restroom. Outside is a covered waiting area with benches and more standing room.
Platform upgrades include a new electric system for melting snow, lighting, and railings, and a detectable warning edge and signage for extra safety.
On the outside, the wall of the building facing the track has an art installation depicting the Brattleboro Words Trail.
This is a multi-media installation produced by the community as a tribute to the rich and unique literary and cultural history of the Brattleboro area, which has mainly been funded by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA)/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
The improvements at Brattleboro follow other recent improvements and investments Amtrak has made in the state of Vermont.
This includes a $50 million investment in modernising the infrastructure, signalling, and track between Springfield, Mass. and White River JunctionVt. which is due for completion later this year.
Services to benefit from these improvements include the Vermonter and Ethan Allen Express and freight trains.
To supplement those improvements, Amtrak has recently completed upgrades to the Ethan Allen Express that saves 15 minutes of journey time.
Since 2011, Amtrak has invested more than $880 million in accessibility upgrades and improvement at 124 stations across the national network for a safer, more efficient, and comfortable travel experience for customers with disabilities.
Another $165 million has been designated to complete upgrades at 35 more stations during this fiscal year.
Amtrak has recently completed a $1.5 million renovation of Durham station in North Carolina, and has started a four-year project to rebuild its station in Philadelphia.
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.
Dr. David Handera, Amtrak Vice President, Accessibility, Stations and Facilities
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.
Senator Welch
