Amtrak customers now have a smoother, brighter and more accessible journey

Thursday, October 12, 2023

Amtrak customers now have a smoother, brighter and more accessible journey with the completion of a $3.8 million project at the Del Rio station.

The Amtrak Sunset Limited travels three-days-weekly between New Orleans and Los Angeles, with a stop at Del Rio, the county seat of Val Verde County, along the southwestern U.S. border with Mexico.

Amtrak, working with the City of Del Rio, made investments that include the construction of a 650-foot concrete platform and upgrades to station signage.

A mobile lift enclosure, parking stalls, public right-of-way access, and energy efficient LED light fixtures lighting along the platform and pathways, are all among the improvements meeting the specifications of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Walkways connect the platform to the city-owned Del Rio Regional Transportation Center, an intermodal facility that accommodates Amtrak, local buses and taxis in the historic railroad depot.

In addition to the direct service to Louisiana and California, the Sunset Limited carries Texas Eagle railcars, including to and from Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Little Rock, St. Louis and Chicago.

“Making Amtrak stations accessible to all customers is a priority and we’re actively performing construction, renovation, repair and upgrade projects at stations across our national network,” said Amtrak Assistant Vice President George Holz, who spoke at today’s ribbon-cutting. “We want Del Rio and all of Amtrak stations to be a welcoming and comfortable environment to all of our customers.”

“Witnessing the changes at the Del Rio Station brings us so much pride,” said Mayor Alvaro “Al” Arreola, who also spoke at the event today. “Amtrak’s enhancements are a testament to our commitment to an inclusive travel experience. This project reaffirms our city’s dedication to being accessible to everyone, promoting equality and community growth. These upgrades not only enrich the travel experience for all but also signify a pivotal moment as we continue our journey to improve downtown Del Rio. This investment is a sign of progress, reflecting our dedication to revitalization and reinvestment in our community.

“We firmly believe that these upgrades will pave the way for a more vibrant, connected, and prosperous downtown,” he added.

Amtrak has invested nearly $800 million since 2011 in accessibility upgrades and improvement projects at 119 stations across the national network to ensure a safe, efficient, and comfortable travel experience for customers with disabilities.

The improvements include repairs and upgrades to platforms, ramps and sidewalks, renovations to entranceways and restrooms, with 20 stations brought into ADA compliance last fiscal year.

Another 35 stations are targeted for completion this fiscal year at a forecasted investment of $125 million.

Our program is advancing 143 station designs and 39 station construction projects as part of Amtrak’s ongoing commitment to providing accessibility by working toward 100% completion by 2029.

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