en.Wedoany.com Reported - Amtrak has opened the new Brattleboro Station in Vermont, featuring the state's first full-length level boarding platform, measuring 345 feet in length and 48 inches above the rail, allowing passengers to board without using steps.
The project was developed in partnership between Amtrak, the Town of Brattleboro, the Vermont Agency of Transportation (VTrans), the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and the New England Central Railroad (NECR), with a total investment of $10 million, as part of Amtrak's nationwide station modernization upgrade plan.
The new station aims to enhance accessibility and overall passenger experience, featuring accessible indoor and outdoor waiting areas, upgraded parking facilities, and a fully modernized station building. The station also includes two ramps, two staircases connecting the parking lot to the platform, a new accessible restroom, a covered outdoor waiting area with seating, upgraded lighting, safety railings, warning surfaces, signage systems, and an electric snow melting system to improve year-round accessibility.
Another highlight of the renovation project is the "Brattleboro Words Trail," a permanent public art installation created by local artist Cynthia Houghton, paying tribute to literary figures associated with the region, including Rudyard Kipling, Robert Frost, and Lucy Terry Prince.
Dr. David Handera, Amtrak Vice President and Chief Accessibility Officer for Accessibility, Stations, and Facilities, stated that when construction began two years ago, a promise was made to deliver a better, more accessible, and more attractive station for travelers, and today he is proud to fulfill that commitment, adding that this represents what modern passenger rail should look like.
The Brattleboro project supports Amtrak's long-term goal of full accessibility across its entire network of stations. In fiscal year 2025, 19 stations have already achieved compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act; in fiscal year 2026, an additional 50 stations are expected to be upgraded through an investment of approximately $311 million. The Amtrak ADA Stations Program is advancing design work for 134 stations and conducting construction at over 100 locations, with the goal of achieving full network accessibility by 2029.
The new station has garnered political support. Senator Bernie Sanders stated that with the state's first level boarding platform and new accessible waiting areas, every traveler can board with dignity and ease in Brattleboro. This investment is expected to improve rail travel experiences for residents and visitors alike, and serve as a model for future station accessibility renovation projects nationwide.
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