Handicapped passengers riding Amtrak trains and buses through Grover Beach’s train station will have directional signs and improvements to help eliminate confusion and solve compliance problems with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Last week, the City Council unanimously directed city staff to signal the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments to proceed with construction of platform and sign improvements at the station.

According to City Engineer Jim Garing, SLOCOG will funnel money to the Amtrak Engineering Division, which is responsible for the construction. SLOCOG would not be doing any construction, he said.

Improvements will make the platform on the east side of the railroad tracks compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act regulations, Garing said.

Plans are to demolish the existing bus platform, build a new platform just to the west of the current site, relocate the bus shelter to the new platform and install new directional signs, crosswalks and markings, he said.

SLOCOG will provide $60,000 for the project, Caltrans Rail funds will add $20,000 and the city will contributed $20,000 from a surplus of Caltrans planning funds, the report said.

Amtrak Engineering Division will consolidate plans for, receive bids for and manage construction of the project, officials said.

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Over the last several years, the city has received complaints about handicapped access problems on the east side of the bus platform loading and unloading area.

Passengers also complained about confusion regarding signs and the necessity to cross the railroad tracks to reach the train station and bus facilities, according to a city staff report.

A feasibility analysis of alternative site layouts with both facilities on the west side has been completed, but to date no funding has been located for design and construction of any of the alternates produced by Wilbur Smith Associates, according to the report.

“At some point in time, we need to take up the larger issue,” said City Manager Bob Perrault.

“As long as we make it a priority and put it on the capital improvement program, we can look at this as a shorter solution,” Mayor Steve Lieberman said of eventually relocating the bus platform to the west side of the tracks.

Josh Petray can be reached at 489-4206, Ext. 5015, or jpetray@santamariatimes.com.