Amtrak advances major upgrades across its Wisconsin stations

Amtrak accelerates accessibility work in Wisconsin, and the company now points to new platforms, smoother paths, and refreshed facilities that quietly reshape daily travel for riders with limited mobility.

This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Amtrak modernises Columbus station and sharpens ADA design

At Columbus, the railroad commits $6.3 million and turns a modest stop three blocks from downtown into a more practical gateway for the city. Crews lay two 350-foot platforms and carve out clear, accessible routes.

Don’t miss…Japan’s urgent rail safety overhaul after Tokyu Den-en-toshi Line train collision

They also reshape the small station forecourt, add a designated parking area, and tighten lighting coverage. New railings, signage, and detectable warnings make the layout easier to read, even on dark winter mornings.

Regional firms from Madison, Fall River, Waukesha, Verona, and Hartland handle striping, excavation, electrical work, and paving. For many local contractors, the job offers steady work and a rare chance to influence intercity rail design.

Amtrak extends Tomah upgrades to comfort and safety

In Tomah, the railroad nearly mirrors that template but on a slightly smaller scale. The team invests $5 million, installs a heated 330-foot platform, and threads accessible paths between the street, parking, and station building.

Engineers also upgrade lighting, railings, and detectable warnings so passengers read the edge of the platform more intuitively. Inside, improvements to air-conditioning and utilities make the waiting room more comfortable during Wisconsin’s long summers.

Michael Baker International sketches the new layout, and George Allen Construction leads day-to-day delivery. Local specialists handle excavation, surveying, and electrical work; in real terms, that network of firms keeps money circulating close to the line.

Behind these projects, senior executives push a wider accessibility agenda and tie it to the Americans with Disabilities Act, not short news cycles. The program now covers dozens of stations and hundreds of millions in work.

Dr. David Handera, who oversees accessibility, often frames the issue in practical terms and stresses predictable, step-free routes from street to seat. As one planner put it, “we can see the cliff coming” if upgrades stall.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: