Amtrak Upgrades Celebrated at South Shore/South Portsmouth Station in Kentucky

Customers now have more accessible path of travel  

SOUTH SHORE, Ky. – Amtrak customers now have a smoother, brighter and more accessible journey with the completion of a $3.5 million project at the South Shore Station. The Amtrak Cardinal 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 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 Cheryl Moore, who spoke at a ribbon-cutting event today. “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 nearly $800 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 calendar year at a forecasted investment of $125 million.

Our program is advancing 143 station designs and 39 station construction projects as part of Amtrak’s ongoing commitment to providing accessibility by working toward 100% completion by 2029.