Amtrak Accessibility Upgrades at West Tennessee Station

Federal investment improves Newbern-Dyersburg platform

NEWBERN, Tenn. – Amtrak customers can enjoy a more accessible and comfortable experience at the Newbern-Dyersburg Station with the completion of $3.5 million in upgrades. The Amtrak City of New Orleans stops twice daily while traveling between Chicago, via Carbondale, Ill., and New Orleans, via Memphis and Jackson, Miss.

“With construction, renovation, repair, and upgrade projects at stations across the country, station accessibility is a priority we’re actively pursuing with funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act,” said Dr. David Handera, Amtrak Vice President, Accessibility, Stations and Facilities.

“We want all of our stations to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment for every customer,” he said at a ribbon-cutting at the station in West Tennessee with state tourism commissioner Mark Ezell and Newbern Mayor Pam Mabry..

To provide smoother pathways for passengers with disabilities, Amtrak installed a new 350-foot platform with historically inclusive features integrating key elements of the 104-year-old station, which includes the Newbern Depot & Railroad Museum, an Amtrak waiting room and a grand room for public functions with the surrounding community.

Other improvements include new accessible parking, public right-of-way access with sloped accessible walkways and safety barriers, energy efficient LED light fixtures providing full-coverage lighting along the pathways and at the platform, a new wheelchair lift with secure enclosure and new signage. Much of the work was done by local sub-contractors.

This investment is part of an Amtrak commitment to creating safer, accessible facilities across the National Network through its Accessible Stations Program. Since 2011 Amtrak has made more than $870 million in upgrades at 123 stations across the country, providing a better travel experience for customers with disabilities. Another 30 stations are targeted for completion this fiscal year as Amtrak works toward 100% completion by 2029.