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-South Portsmouth station. The Amtrak Cardinal travels three times weekly between New York City and Chicago, with a stop at South Shore, which is across the Ohio River from Portsmouth, Ohio.
On September 28, 2023, Amtrak, city and Greenup County officials gathered at the station on the northern edge of downtown for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the facility improvements.
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 lighting in the parking lot at the request of the city.
The new enclosed shelter is a one-story red brick building featuring grey stone trim at the base and in the window sills, and it is topped by a seamed metal hipped-gabled roof. Wide eaves supported by graceful paired brackets protect passengers from inclement weather. Inside, the waiting area appears light and airy due to large tripartite windows, while metal benches line the walls.
“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. South Shore is proud to be an Amtrak community, and we… anticipate the recent improvements to the station and community support are helping to make this area more visible and encourage an increase in travelers.”
South Shore Mayor Cheryl Moore
Amtrak has invested nearly $800 million since 2011 in accessibility upgrades and improvement projects at 118 stations across its 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.
Amtrak’s ADA Stations Program is advancing 143 station designs and 39 station construction projects as part of the company’s ongoing commitment to providing accessibility by working toward 100% completion by 2029.
Posted September 29, 2023.
Amtrak established the Great American Stations Project in 2006 to educate communities on the benefits of redeveloping train stations, offer tools to community leaders to preserve their stations, and provide the appropriate Amtrak resources.
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