Accessibility Improvement Project Begins in Virginia

Amtrak Station in Ashland getting upgrade

WASHINGTON – A construction project is underway to improve accessibility and safety at the Amtrak stop in Ashland, Va. The Amtrak Northeast Regional provides daily service to the station located in the town’s downtown at 112 N. Railroad Ave.

Amtrak has contracted with Railroad Construction Company of Paterson, N.J., to advance a series of improvements including the construction of two brick platforms, placement of two mobile lifts and accompanying canopy. Mobile lifts will be placed on each platform and will benefit all customers including passengers with disabilities who use a wheeled mobility device or seniors and travelers with luggage and strollers.

Construction will not impact Amtrak service. Construction is anticipated to be completed in the fall/winter of 2020.

“We are advancing a robust program of station accessibility improvements across our national network,” Amtrak President and CEO Richard Anderson said. “We want Ashland and all of our stations to be welcoming to all of our customers.”

Amtrak and the Town of Ashland partnered in a redesign of one block of N. Railroad Avenue. A new site design will allow for a safer experience for customers and pedestrians, and modified vehicle traffic pattern. The new platforms will connect to sidewalks, crosswalks and a pedestrian grade crossing for customers to safely travel between trains and the station.

Amtrak and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation partner to bring Northeast Regional service to Ashland and other cities in the Commonwealth.