COATESVILLE — Work at the $65 million Amtrak train station at Fleetwood Street is underway following an official groundbreaking attended by Gov. Tom Wolf.
According to a release issued by the 2nd Century Alliance, the new station is being developed to provide ADA accessibility and improve station function and amenities, while supporting station-area revitalization.
Construction trailers are now at the site.
City Manager James Logan said he expects the project to be completed within three and a half years, depending on supply availability and weather.
“It will make a tremendous difference,” Logan said. “It opens up a lot of possibilities for the city.
“It will have a tremendous effect on the workforce.”
Logan also said that SEPTA is expected to reestablish regional rail service for Coatesville, and commuters on the Route 30 Bypass headed for other train stations will get off the highway a little bit sooner.
Sonia Huntzinger, executive director of economic development and administrator for 2nd Century Alliance, was part of the team.
“So many have worked so diligently to bring this project to this point and many more will help get it across the finish line in a few years,” Huntzinger said. “The positive economic benefits of this project on the city and the western region of the county can’t be overstated.”
The cost includes design, station and streetscape construction. The new station will sit east of the existing historic station building. The current building has been closed for more than 25 years.
The original site is on a curve of the track that prevents construction of ADA-accessible platforms and necessitated the shift in the station location.
The new, accessible facility along Fleetwood Street between 3rd and 4th avenues will feature:
• 530-feet-long high-level (accessible) platforms with canopies and seating;
• Stair/elevator towers;
• An audio/visual public address system and security cameras;
• Bicycle racks;
• Expanded parking;
• Accommodation for multimodal connections.
The bridge that takes 4th Avenue under the railroad will be converted into a pedestrian underpass, and a tunnel liner will be installed to eliminate water leakage.
Trackwork improvements include a bypass track to be constructed by Amtrak to facilitate freight train traffic past the new high-level platforms.
Fleetwood Street will be reconfigured to improve access to the new station and to include bus stop and “kiss-and-ride” areas. The layout will include a plaza and space for commercial and retail development on the south side of Fleetwood Street opposite the new station location.
“Community engagement has been a hallmark of this multi-year effort,” reads the 2nd Century Alliance release. “PennDOT established a station working group to ensure local involvement with the station design as well as the related streetscape projects for 3rd and 4th avenues.”
The streetscape work was completed in advance of station construction to ensure safe and accessible pedestrian and bicycle connections to the new station location while also providing aesthetic, drainage, and parking improvements.
Public engagement included presentations to City Council and use of a 3D model of the proposed station to help convey the design to residents and others interested in the project. Prior to the streetscape projects, community members were offered a tour of recently constructed improvements in a neighboring municipality that similarly were intended to increase walkability and connectivity to a passenger rail station.
Station design was completed in mid-2021.
Work is being led by PennDOT with support from Chester County, the City of Coatesville, and the Coatesville Redevelopment Authority and additional funding by the Federal Transit Administration.Through the partnership, contractor Wickersham is hiring local workers. Michael Baker is the project manager and is led by Patrick Gardener.
