Paoli Station Project Complete; Facility Now Fully AccessibleTo All

Amtrak and partners host official ribbon-cutting event to highlight new ADA accessibility features, modern passenger amenities and improved vehicular circulation at the station

PHILADELPHIA – Today federal, state and local officials joined together with SEPTA, Amtrak and their honored guests to officially announce the completion of the Paoli Station Accessibility Improvements Project, a $48 million initiative to improve accessibility, safety and provide operational flexibility at the Paoli Train Station.

“Throughout the duration of this project, we have worked toward a mutual and productive collaboration with SEPTA, PennDOT, the Federal Transit Administration and the Tredyffrin Township community to help transform the Paoli Train Station into an intermodal facility that is accessible for all,” said Amtrak Assistant Vice President for Infrastructure Access and Investment Tom Moritz. “After two years of construction activities, Amtrak and SEPTA have opened the new center platform at the Paoli Train Station, a major milestone in making the station fully accessible to all users.”

“The Paoli Station Accessibility Improvements Project is a great example of what can be accomplished when we work together,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel. “In just these two years, we’ve seen a major transformation at this critical transportation hub, which now has ADA accessibility, modern passenger amenities and an improved traffic flow that has enhanced safety for customers. I’m thrilled to see what has been accomplished so far – and this is only the beginning.”

Amtrak worked with project partners to advance a series of station enhancements including, a new center high level platform, new elevators, stairs and ramps, a pedestrian overpass, parking lot improvements, ADA improvements to the existing station building and upgrades in rail infrastructure to support other project components. Vehicular circulation has also been improved in the south, northeast and northwest parking lots, with directional arrows painted on the ground to streamline traffic flow in and out of the parking lots.

With the completion of the new upgrades, customers traveling in and out of the Paoli Train Station will now board and alight via the center platform. Additionally, the historic outbound wooden canopy that was part of the late 19th century station has been restored and repurposed as a cover for new bike parking facilities.

Ideally, this project will encourage potential further construction of the proposed Paoli Intermodal Transportation Center, a new expansive transportation center envisioned to serve the growing needs of the traveling public and support the Paoli business district and future expansion of the area.

“PennDOT is dedicated to improving all modes of transportation,” Jennie Granger, Deputy Secretary for Multimodal Transportation said. “We envision cohesive, transit-oriented development, connectivity, and continued community involvement as we expand regionally and statewide.”

 “On behalf of the Tredyffrin Township Board of Supervisors and Staff, I want to thank the project teams of Amtrak, SEPTA and PennDOT for their hard work that, today, brings us a modernized Paoli Train Station accessible to all residents in the region,” said Tredyffrin Township Chair Murph Wysocki. “For Tredyffrin Township, the completion of this project highlights Tredyffrin’s critical role in regional transportation. The updated Station also marks the first of future infrastructure, community and transportation improvements that will continue the revitalization of Paoli.”

In fiscal year 2018, 233,816 Amtrak customers and approximately 646,446 SEPTA customers passed through the station. The original station facilities were built in 1953 by the Pennsylvania Railroad. SEPTA and Amtrak partnered in 2016 to make modifications to the station and infrastructure at the station to bring the facility into compliance with U.S. Department of Transportation accessibility standards.