Bids Open For New Coatesville Train Station, Says PennDOT

COATESVILLE, PA — Contractors may begin to submit bids for work on the Coatesville Train Station, a project PennDOT and municipal leaders say can drive economic development as it enables more frequent train stops in the Borough.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) made the announcement on Tuesday that the new Coatesville Train Station is being advertised for bid. The selected contractor will build a modern accessible train station that will improve connections to the Keystone Corridor — a project community planners expect will help revitalize the surrounding community.

The new station in Chester County will improve accessibility for those with disabilities and will provide level boarding platforms, elevators, ramps, site lighting and security, improved drainage, and surface parking for local and regional commuters, a PennDOT news release explained. The project will enhance multimodal connectivity — so bike riders, walkers, bus and other transportation modes can be used with the train. It will also ensure that freight movements through the new station area are maintained, PennDOT said.

PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian said, "We and the Coatesville community have worked hard on this project and we are excited that it's moving forward. This is a huge opportunity to partner not just on the station, but also potentially spur other development in the region."

Prior to the project design, PennDOT led planning efforts with the Coatesville community to identify strategies that would revitalize the area surrounding the proposed train station. Streetscape projects on Third Avenue and Fourth Avenue completed in 2019 and 2020 improved access from Coatesville's downtown area to the proposed new train station location, the PennDOT statement explained.

Coatesville City Manager James Logan said, "Members of City Council, residents, and community stakeholders have anticipated news of this much-needed transportation structure, and now it's finally here. The new train station is a critical piece of the city’s 're-imagine Coatesville' focus and collective economic revitalization efforts."

Logan said Coatesville residents, including young residents with transportation challenges, will benefit from the access to other regional areas. "Daily commuters can cut their drive time significantly with a nearby regional station."

"It has been a long journey and PennDOT has worked tirelessly with Amtrak, City Officials, members of the Coatesville Redevelopment Authority, and Coatesville’s Construction Team to help guide us through this entire process. We appreciate their commitment and partnership," Logan added.

Speaking on behalf of the Chester County Board of Commissioners, Chair Marian Moskowitz said, "This bid announcement is a great step in the effort to bring the much-needed train station to Coatesville, and it is welcomed by everyone who cares about the city’s future. Each train coming into the new station will bring with it opportunities for development and businesses growth, and each train leaving the new station will give access to regional jobs and greater economic opportunities for those living in Coatesville. The County is pleased to be a partner in this revitalization, including funding support for the parking garage connected with the station."

Interested contractors must be registered business partners with PennDOT and should submit their bids through PennDOT's Engineering and Construction Management System (ECMS).

Contractor construction-related questions must be submitted electronically through ECMS, also, PennDOT said.

A pre-bid meeting will be held virtually on July 27 and all interested contractors are encouraged to attend. Project information can be obtained on the project solicitation page of ECMS.

PennDOT intends to begin construction in late fall 2021 with completion anticipated in 2025. This project is financed through the Federal Transit Administration and state transportation funds.

"Investments in transit infrastructure are critical to the economic vitality of the region, and we appreciate that PennDOT continues to make upgrading the Keystone Line a priority," said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards. "The Coatesville Train Station project will be another important improvement, and today's announcement is a welcome milestone. We look forward to working with PennDOT, Chester County, and the City of Coatesville in serving this growing community."

"We look forward to continuing our coordination with PennDOT on the Coatesville Station project,” said Amtrak AVP of Infrastructure Access and Investment Tom Moritz. "PennDOT’'s and the Coatesville community's dedication has resulted in an exciting project that will provide a significant benefit to the Keystone Service."

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