Amtrak and Partners Complete Accessibility and Platform Improvements at Westport Station

New amenities improve safety for all customers

WESTPORT, NY. - Amtrak, in partnership with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and in cooperation with the Town of Westport, and Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), has completed accessibility improvements to the Westport Station. This is part of a $3 million investment from Amtrak to upgrade the customer experience for those who travel on the Adirondack, between New York City and Montreal, and want to reach connections to other trains for travel to Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and more.

Amtrak Vice President, Accessibility, Stations and Facilities Dr. David Handera: "We are proud to unveil our new accessibility and safety improvements at Westport Station, which supports three of Amtrak's goals to enhance the customer experience, set the bar for modernization, and bring greater integrated and comprehensive accessibility to stations across the country. Thanks to our partners at the Town of Westport, Canadian Pacific Railway, the Federal Railroad Administration, and all of the federal, state, and local officials who supported this project, the residents and visitors of Westport will benefit from these upgrades when traveling by train."

FRA Administrator Amit Bose: "Under the Biden-Harris Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is investing more than ever in communities across the country. FRA is excited about the upgrades completed at Westport Station, and we are proud of our work with Amtrak to ensure more Americans, including those with disabilities and our aging population, have access to the passenger rail service they need and deserve. As part of the Biden-Harris's Investing in America agenda and with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we will continue to invest even more across the country to modernize and improve our Nation's rail infrastructure to expand reliable, convenient, and accessible passenger service to more Americans."

‍ About the project: The new Westport Station features a new 120-foot platform, with an integrated platform snowmelt system and several accessibility improvements, including new accessible parking, and a wheelchair lift with a secured enclosure.

Additional safety improvements include new public right-of-way access, energy efficient LED light fixtures that provide full coverage lighting along the pathways and at the platform, and all-new signage.

How it's paid for: The project is primarily funded by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA)/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

The big picture: Amtrak has invested more than $900 million since 2011 in accessibility upgrades and improvement projects at 125 stations across the national network to ensure a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience for customers with disabilities. 20 stations were brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act in 2023. An additional 41 stations are targeted for completion in the next fiscal year at a forecasted investment of $245 million.

In addition, our program is advancing 149 station designs and 61 station construction projects as part of Amtrak's ongoing commitment to providing accessibility by working toward 100% completion by 2029.