The USA's passenger rail company Amtrak has completed renovations at Durham station in North Carolina.
Amtrak has spent $1.5 million on the project to improve the station, which is located at 601 W. Main Street, in the restored Walker Warehouse, a historic brick structure erected in 1897 by the American Tobacco Company trust.
Amtrak's trains began serving Durham station on 8 July 2009.
The station is in the Bright Leaf National Register Historic District, and boasts impressive decorative brickwork including corbeled pendants and mousetoothing at the cornice and parapet.
The operator's Carolinian and Piedmont routes serve the station, with daily services sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, operated by Amtrak and funded by state grant and passenger fares. Trains operate between Raleigh and Charlotte, from where the Carolinian continues to New York.
Renovations included installing new doors and an automated system for passengers to enter and exit the station.
Restrooms (toilets) have also been upgraded. The project also installed a new fire alarm system and signs, and a cane detection rail at the bottom of the ticket counter. The cane detection rail is a horizontal bar which a person using a cane can detect, alerting them to the counter being within their path.
In a further accessibility improvement, the car park now has accessible parking spaces and new pathways to the station and platform. The station also boasts new signs on the platform, car park and drop-off area.
Amtrak has spent more than $850 million since 2011 on upgrading accessibility and improving one hundred and twenty stations across the national network, aiming to provide safe, efficient and comfortable journeys for disabled passengers. Improvements include repairing and upgrading platforms, ramps and sidewalks (pavements), and renovating entrances and restrooms.
Last year, Amtrak saw passenger numbers increase significantly. During 2023, it brought twenty stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, and plans to spend $165 million on completing a further thirty-five during this financial year.
Within the next five years, Amtrak plans to complete 140 station designs and 43 station construction projects to further enhance accessibility.
“The Federal Railroad Administration is excited about the upgrades completed at Durham Station, and we are proud of our work with Amtrak to ensure more Americans have access to the passenger rail service they need and deserve, which very much includes Americans with disabilities, our aging population, and others who rely on and benefit from accessible and convenient passenger rail. As part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda and with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the federal government is investing well over a billion dollars in rail projects and planning activities across North Carolina, and we will continue to invest even more across the country.”
FRA Administrator, Amit Bose
“Providing an accessible travel experience is a priority and we're actively advancing construction, renovation, repair, and upgrade projects at stations across our national network. We are pleased we delivered these improvements to the Durham station and for our customers and community.”
Amtrak Vice President of Accessibility, Dr. David Handera
“Accessibility to everyone is an important part of the total passenger experience. Working with Amtrak and local partners to ensure safe, accessible and convenient travel guarantee future growth and success of passenger rail in North Carolina and beyond.”
Jason Orthner, NCDOT Rail Division director
“The upgrades at Durham Station will make North Carolinians experience traveling on Amtrak easier, safer, and more accessible. Amtrak's investment in Durham is another example of their commitment to improving customer experience and rail service across our state.”
Senator Thom Tillis (Republican – North Carolina)
“The Durham Station provides many of our residents an alternative mode of transportation across the state and beyond. I am excited about these renovations, as these upgrades will increase accessibility and enhance rail travel for those in need here in Durham.”
Mayor Leonardo Williams
