Amtrak stations getting upgrades

Amtrak stations across Northwest Montana are getting a facelift.

The work is being done to bring stations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. It is being funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Preparatory work has been under way at the Amtrak station on Mineral Avenue in Libby for a couple weeks.

Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari expects the work in Libby to be completed by late July. The work will include a 550-foot passenger boarding platform at a cost of $500,000.

“We appreciate the patience of our passengers in Libby,” Magliari said. “It will be greatly improved when finished.”

Work at the Amtrak station in Whitefish likely won’t start for several weeks. It will include a 1,200-foot heated platform at a cost of $2 million. That project should be done by late August.

Magliari said Whitefish “is one of the biggest stops between Chicago and the West Coast.”

Other stations scheduled for upgrades include West Glacier and Browning.

The West Glacier station will get a wheelchair lift and enclosure and handicapped-accessible parking stalls.

Browning’s project will include a 94-foot platform at a cost of $300,000. It should be finished by late July.

The work will eliminate barriers that prevent access from platforms to trains for passengers who use wheelchairs. It could also include installation of wheelchair lifts and platforms with bridge plates.

Other stations that will receive upgrades include Cut Bank and Shelby.

The overall project will cost $1.56 billion and will retrofit 482 Amtrak stations nationwide, according to amtrak.com.