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.