AMTRAK Renovation

Glasgow’s train station has a new look.

Amtrak’s Western Director of Government Affairs, Robert Eaton, visited various rail stops along the Hi-Line on Tues., Nov. 3 to answer questions and present a summary of the renovations the company made to comply with 1990’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Amtrak invested $1 million in the Glasgow station.

“It’s part of a national program to update our facilities and remove barriers for the disabled,” said Eaton.

Of the 30 million annual Amtrak riders, one percent self-identifies as handicapped. The fixes go beyond, though, the simple provision of wheelchair access.

“I’m a former small town mayor myself,” said Eaton, “so I know about tourism. Our renovations will make the exterior and interior a little more inviting to potential travelers, too.”

Among the changes: new urinals, sinks, and handicapped stalls in each bathroom; braille signs on the wall by each bathroom’s door; removal of steps leading up to the platform; the replacing of these steps with a gradual concrete incline; and push button access at the station’s main door.

Glasgow is one of 491 Amtrak stations which must adhere to ADA standard. Great Northern (GN) shares the responsibility of maintaining the facility. 

Plans to raise the height of the platform are at a pause, but Eaton expects the moratorium to be lifted and work to commence presently.

“We came here to remove barriers,” he said. “We have a responsibility…it’s our opportunity to showcase what we’ve done to make travel less daunting for those who these renovations affect.”