The completion of an Amtrak $3.5 million project at the South Shore Station in Kentucky will give customers a smoother, brighter and more accessible journey when using the Amtrak Cardinal. The transit service travels three times weekly between New York and Chicago, with a stop at South Shore, Ky., which is across the Ohio River from Portsmouth, Ohio.
Amtrak, working with the city of South Shore, advanced a series of accessibility design and construction improvements that include a new platform, heated shelter building, ramp, guardrails, signage, lighting, passenger drop off aisle and upgrades to the parking lot in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Replacing the former asphalt platform, the new 230-foot-long concrete platform, constructed alongside active CSX freight tracks, provides a level surface for wheeled mobility device, stroller and rolling luggage users. A new detectable warning system also runs along the full length of the platform and provides a tactile surface detectable by passengers with vision disabilities. In addition, Amtrak installed additional parking lot lighting at the request of the city.
“Making our stations accessible to all customers is a priority and we’re actively performing construction, renovation, repair and upgrade projects at stations across our national network,” said Amtrak Vice President Dr. David Handera. “We want South Shore and all of our stations to be a welcoming and comfortable environment to all of our customers.”
“The city of South Shore is so excited about the completion of the new Amtrak Station and platform built here in our community,” said Mayor of South Shore, Ky., Cheryl Moore. “South Shore is proud to be an Amtrak community and we are seeing growth in and anticipate the recent improvements to the station and community support are helping to make this area more visible and encourage an increase in travelers.”
Amtrak has invested $793 million since 2011 in accessibility upgrades and improvement projects at 118 stations across the national network to ensure a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience for customers with disabilities. The improvements include repairs and upgrades to platforms, ramps and sidewalks, renovations to entranceways and restrooms, with 20 stations brought into ADA compliance last year. Another 20 stations are targeted for completion this fiscal year at a forecasted investment of $125 million.
