WESTERLY, RI – Amtrak, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), announced on Thursday (July 7) the completion of American Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements at Westerly Station in Westerly, R.I. Station. This includes two new elevators, featuring new elevator enclosures at platform level constructed in the style of the historic station, an accessible pathway to and from the public right-of-way, two accessible parking spaces, and a new sloped walkway for accessing the platform, modified handrails and guardrails, and new ADA compliant signs throughout the station environment.
“Accessibility is an essential component of Amtrak’s commitment to improving the customer experience at our stations and on our trains, and we thank our partners at RIDOT for their collaboration in achieving this goal at Westerly Station,” said Amtrak Vice President of Stations, Facilities, Properties and Accessibility Dr. David Handera. “Due to the investment from our federal partners, Rhode Island train travellers, residents and visitors now get to experience the improvements Amtrak has made at Westerly Station.”
“Westerly Station is an important part of our transit infrastructure,” RIDOT Director Peter Alviti said. “Just a few years ago we, the Town of Westerly and the Artists Cooperative Gallery of Westerly were able to breathe new life into this station and provide access to an indoor waiting area and restrooms while providing a unique community space for artists. These new improvements by Amtrak will make it easier for persons with disabilities to access this historic building.”
Construction on these improvements at Westerly Station began in March 2019, utilizing more than $9 million of federal funds that Amtrak receives from annual appropriations of Northeast Corridor and National Network federal grants in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). These funds were used for every phase – demolition, design and construction – of the project.
