(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on June 30, 2009.)
On June 29, Amtrak launched construction on a $12 million station renovation project in Lancaster, Pa.
To be completed in partnership with the city of Lancaster, Lancaster County and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, the 18-month project calls for rehabilitating the station’s interior and exterior; installing a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system; adding new restrooms; improving landscaping; and increasing parking capacity from 175 spaces to 237. The project also includes a new taxi loading and unloading area, new waiting room and ticketing area for the Trailways Bus Co., retail space and meeting rooms.
The project will be funded by $9.6 million in federal dollars, $2 million in state funds and $400,000 in county dollars.
The Lancaster station is served by Amtrak’s state-supported Keystone and Pennsylvanian routes. The project has been in development the past 10 years.