Getting on the train to accessibility

Ridgewood Station Rehabilitation

Since the establishment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990, public places have been revamped and redesigned to support persons with disabilities. But in Ridgewood, New Jersey, passengers still had to climb the steps of arriving trains when boarding. This was a problem.

The solution was new platforms. Our design replaced three low-level platforms with a high-level center, an inbound high-level side, and two elevators. We took community sightline concerns into consideration when we placed the new features—to the north where they wouldn’t obstruct view of or across the station. The new canopies and shelters were designed to incorporate the California-Mission style architecture of the existing station, and we improved lighting and passenger amenities including variable message signs—delivering the timely train information commuters need.

The station building was also rehabilitated, with a new ticket booth and ADA compliant restrooms, and the parking lot was landscaped. To accommodate the improvements, two of the three mainline tracks needed to be relocated to the west. With these upgrades, passengers can get up to the platforms and move directly onto the trains—stairs optional.