Amtrak, Vermont Partners Consider New Brattleboro Station

Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
A new ADA-compliant station project would include a first-level boarding platform—approximately 48 inches above the track, allowing riders to move on or off Washington, D.C.-St. Albans, Vt., Vermonter trains without stepping up or down—as well as track layout changes. (Wikipedia)

A new ADA-compliant station project would include a first-level boarding platform—approximately 48 inches above the track, allowing riders to move on or off Washington, D.C.-St. Albans, Vt., Vermonter trains without stepping up or down—as well as track layout changes. (Wikipedia)

Amtrak is in talks with the state of Vermont, the town of Brattleboro and host-railroad New England Central Railroad (a Genesee & Wyoming subsidiary) to build a new station in Brattleboro.

The Americans with Disabilities Act- (ADA-) compliant project would include a new station building with first-level boarding platform—approximately 48 inches above the track, allowing Amtrak riders to move on or off Washington, D.C.-St. Albans, Vt., Vermonter trains without stepping up or down—as well as track layout changes.

Among other new features: parking; ramps and steps up to the platform level; lighting; signage; a new waiting room with attached restroom; and covered outdoor seating.

The station will continue to include a staffed attendant within an hour of a train’s departure or arrival time, once service north of New Haven, Conn., restarts. It was stopped in September due to the pandemic. The Vermonter is financed primarily through funds made available by the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MASSDOT).

“We are very pleased to receive positive feedback from the various stakeholders on the design of this station that will provide modern accessibility features for a better customer experience,” Amtrak Vice President of Stations, Facilities, Properties and Accessibility David Handera said.

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