Amtrak Upgrades Stations Across North Dakota

Local leaders celebrate passenger station upgrades in Devils Lake and Fargo, N.D.

Amtrak

FARGO, N.D. - Amtrak has made an estimated $30 million in upgrades at passenger stations in North Dakota.

This comes as part of $1 billion in improvement project upgrades made since 2011. As of reporting, Amtrak says 17 stations have been brought up to ADA-compliance with another 50 scheduled for completion in the next year. In both Devils Lake and Fargo, North Dakota, local leaders held ribbon-cutting celebrations for the improvements in Rugby, Stanley, and Williston. The program includes the advancement of 144 station designs and 68 construction projects. Amtrak says it anticipates complete accessibility at 100% of stations by 2029.

Amtrak Vice President of Accessibility Dr. David Handera said, “Making stations accessible to all customers is a priority we’re actively pursuing with construction, renovation, repair and upgrade projects at stations across our National Network. . . We want all of our stations to provide a welcoming environment for every passenger.”

Devils Lake Station

Built in 1907 by the Great Northern Railway, this station now has a new 300-foot concrete boarding platform with a brick finish. The platform features a snowmelt system for safety and sloped walkways with safety barriers. The station also has more energy efficient LED light fixtures, new signage, and detectable warning systems. Michael Baker International served as the designer for the project with Collage Companies providing general contractor services. Construction Engineers of Grand Forks, N.D. served as major subconsultant for the project completion next month. $4.5 million in upgrades were made.

Fargo Station

The former express building built by GN in 1906 is used by Amtrak and is listed as a “contributing property within the National Register – listed Downtown Fargo District.” This station now has a 645-foot concrete boarding platform and accessible paths of travel to and from the station. Additionally, crews added sloped accessible walkways, railings, energy efficient LED light fixtures, new signage, detectable warning systems, and egress gates. GFT Infrastructure Inc. served as the designer for the project with Kirsche Construction Inc. providing general contractor services. Crews made $4.5 million in upgrades.

Rugby Station

Also built in 1907, Rugby Station is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Crews constructed a 750-foot concrete boarding system with brick finish and equipped the station with a snowmelt system. Additionally, crews added new signage, energy efficient LED light fixtures, detectable warning systems, new signage, and sloped walkways and barriers at a total cost of $10.4 million. The inside of the station has also received improvements. MBI and Granite Construction Co. served as designers for the project.

Stanley Station

At a cost of $400,000, Stanley Station, built by GN in 1922, has a new accessible path of travel to connect the station to the parking lot. Crews repaired detectable warning systems and replaced the existing platform. As well, crews added another platform and station signage. STV served as designer of record for the project with KCI providing general contractor services.

Williston Station

Built by GN in 1910, this station is also “noted for their historical significance by the State of North Dakota.” At a cost of $10 million, crews constructed a new 700-foot concrete boarding platform with brick finish that allows pedestrians to connect from the station to the parking lot. Similar to above, this platform features a snowmelt system, sloped walkways, railings, detectable warning systems, new signage, energy efficient LED light fixtures, and egress. MBI served as designer of record with KCI providing general contractor services.