COLUMBUS, WI — Amtrak passengers have a more accessible experience at two Wisconsin stations following about $11 million in upgrades. The Amtrak Empire Builder and Borealis trains each stop twice daily at the Columbus and Tomah stations.
“Making stations accessible to all customers is a priority we’re actively pursuing with construction, renovation, repair, and upgrade projects at stations across our National Network,” Amtrak Vice President of Accessibility Dr. David Handera said. “We want all of our stations to provide a welcoming environment for every passenger.”
Handera and civic leaders held ribbon-cutting celebrations in both cities and promoted improvements nationwide to enhance the passenger experience. Nineteen stations were brought into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and another 50 stations are targeted for completion in the next year at a forecasted investment of $310 million.
The Columbus station sits three blocks northeast of downtown, and it was built in 1906 by the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway (Milwaukee Road, now the CPKC Railway). Columbus now has two new 350-foot-long concrete platforms, accessible paths of travel to and from the station building, and a designated parking area. With the construction of sloped accessible walkways, railings, energy efficient LED light fixtures, detectable warning systems, and new signage throughout, these improvements focus on supporting Amtrak’s goals to enhance the customer experience and bring greater integrated and comprehensive accessibility to stations across the country.
The designer of record for the project is HDR, an architecture and engineering firm that specializes in infrastructure and transportation. Enfield Enterprises, Inc. provided general contractor services for the project. Wisconsin subcontractors included Seven Hills Striping and White Cap (Madison), Brozek and O’Brion Excavating (Fall River), Empower Electric and Zenith Tech (Waukesha), Maple Leaf Inc. (Verona), and Wolf Paving Co. (Hartland).
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The Tomah station was built in 1903 by the Milwaukee Road, and it is individually eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Tomah now has a 330-foot-long heated concrete boarding platform, accessible paths of travel to and from the station building, and a designated parking area. Sloped walkways, railings, energy efficient LED light fixtures, detectable warning systems, and new signage have been installed, along with upgrades to the waiting room air conditioning and public utility connections.
The designer of record for the project is Michael Baker International, an architecture and engineering firm that specializes in infrastructure and transportation. George Allen Construction provided general contractor services for the project. Wisconsin subcontractors included Fowler & Hammer (La Crosse), Badger State Inc. and Real Land Surveying (Eau Claire), Gerke Excavating (Tomah), and Pederson Electric (Coon Valley).
Both the Columbus station and Tomah station have had passenger train service since the 1850s. Closer to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Amtrak trains use part of the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad, which was the first railroad in Wisconsin and which started operation 175 years ago.
Amtrak has invested more than $1 billion since 2011 in accessibility upgrades and improvement projects at 147 stations across the national network to ensure a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience. This program is advancing 142 station designs and 70 station construction projects as part of the ongoing Amtrak commitment to providing accessibility at 100 percent of stations by 2029.
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“WisDOT is proud to support the work Amtrak has done to provide accessible and functional access at the Tomah and Columbus stations,” Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) Secretary Kristina Boardman said. “Connecting rural and small communities is an incredible benefit of the Borealis and Empire Builder passenger rail services, and we’re proud to be able to extend these connections and opportunities to all of Wisconsin’s residents and tourists alike.”
