Improvement project at Amtrak Staples Mill station will double parking, increase accessibility

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) and the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) have begun construction on an $8.3 million project to improve the customer parking experience at Amtrak’s Richmond Staples Mill Road station (RVR).

The station parking lot currently holds 274 spaces for Amtrak passengers boarding the train at Staples Mill. Following completion, the parking lot will more than double its current capacity to 589 parking spaces. It also will include a dedicated bus loading zone, bike racks, taxi/ride-share parking, improved pedestrian accommodations, additional ADA parking and two entrances via Staples Mill Road and Bremner Boulevard.

The construction, which began Monday, August 14th, will take place in three phases over the next year. Phase I and II will involve construction on the properties adjacent to the current Amtrak parking lot and opening a new rear entrance off of Bremner Boulevard. Phase III will involve connecting the new properties to the existing parking lot and resurfacing the entire lot. The Staples Mill Road entrance will be closed during Phase III.

In addition, construction is underway for ADA-compliant improvements to the station’s bathrooms as well as ADA access on the platform. New LED lighting and signage will be added as well.

“We are excited to break ground and continue providing more parking for Amtrak riders at the Staples Mill station,” said Jennifer Mitchell, Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. “We look forward to enhancing the overall Amtrak customer experience with these important improvements.”

Parking will be limited during construction with a minimum of 250 available spaces. VDOT says passengers should consider allowing for extra travel time, being dropped off, using a ride share service or taking advantage of alternate parking at the Henrico County Park and Ride, located five blocks from the station at the intersection of Cloverdale Avenue and Crockett Street.

Construction is expected to be completed by the summer of 2018. The project is being funded by DRPT with construction oversight from VDOT.