Sandpoint station is a train station along Amtrak's Empire Builder line in Sandpoint, Idaho, as well as the only operating Amtrak station in Idaho. The station site is owned by BNSF Railway.[3][4]
The station building is the oldest remaining active passenger depot of the former Northern Pacific Railway.[3] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and is known therein as the Sandpoint Burlington Northern Railroad Station, or the Northern Pacific Depot.[5]
In June 2009 Amtrak announced that it was considering a new stop in Sandpoint, citing concerns about the new Sand Creek Byway. City officials and the Idaho Department of Transportation (ITD) pledged additional funds to support retaining Amtrak service at the original depot.[6][7]
As part of mitigation efforts related to the construction of the byway, ITD paid BNSF approximately $922,000 to stabilize the depot or design and erect a replacement facility.[8] As of winter 2013, Amtrak was working with station owner BNSF to modify the existing lease to include parts of the building and the platform. Once this process is completed, Amtrak will move forward with design work for the rehabilitation; in conjunction with this project, Amtrak will also fund a new accessible compliant concrete platform with tactile edging.[8] In May 2015, the station was restored at a cost of $926,000 and featured a new roof with green tiles similar in appearance to the originals, and a refurbished waiting room.[9]
References
- ^ "Amtrak Fact Sheet, Fiscal Year 2022: State of Idaho" (PDF). Amtrak. June 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
- ^ a b "National Register Information System – (#73000682)". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ a b "Amtrak - Great American Stations". Amtrak. Retrieved 2009-04-23.
- ^ "Amtrak Fact Sheet, FY2005, State of Idaho" (PDF). Amtrak. October 2006. Retrieved 2007-02-04.
- ^ "National Register of Historic Places, Idaho - Bonner County". National Park Service, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2002-02-05.
- ^ "Byway jeopardizes Amtrak's depot use". The Spokesman-Review. June 6, 2009. Retrieved 2009-12-11.
- ^ Hagadone, Zach (November 30, 2009). "Historical Amtrak station faces development challenge". Idaho Business Review. Retrieved 2009-12-11.(subscription required)
- ^ a b Great American Stations. Accessed March 18, 2013.
- ^ "Transitions: Restored—Sandpoint Amtrak Depot | National Trust for Historic Preservation".