GASTONIA, N.C. — A $3.2 million project to increase accessibility at the Amtrak train station in Gastonia has been completed, the railroad announced Tuesday.
“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,” David Handera, Amtrak's vice president of stations, facilities, and accessibility, said in a released statement. “We want Gastonia and all of our stations to be a welcoming and comfortable environment to all of our customers.”
Amtrak, working with the city of Gastonia, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) and Norfolk Southern, work together on the project. Work included the construction of a new concrete platform with all new lighting, guardrails, and signage. The platform provides a sturdy, uniform surface for customers to board on and off the train, according to Amtrak.
Additional improvements included an accessible restroom, renovated waiting room, and power-operated door entrance in the station, and a newly paved parking lot with an entrance driveway and two accessible parking spaces for customers who use wheeled mobility devices.
“Accessibility is very important to our city. We are grateful to Amtrak for the upgrades to our station as we continue to grow and passengers make Gastonia a destination on their routes of travel,” Gastonia Mayor Walker E. Reid said in the project announcement.
The Amtrak Crescent travels daily between New York and New Orleans, with a stop at the station at 350 Hancock St.
In the last fiscal year, Amtrak said they have spent $95 million to bring 20 train stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Stations Program. Another 39 stations are targeted for completion this fiscal year at an estimated cost of $165 million.
To date, Amtrak said they have completed work at 177 stations.