HOPE, Ark. (AP) — The completion of an Amtrak station in Hope is being delayed because of problems with the platform.
The Texarkana Gazette reports the platform is several inches shy of what Amtrak requires for safety purposes.
Officials say the platform's edge should be 5 feet 4 inches from the centerline of the track. That's so the gap is narrow enough for passengers to board and disembark the train safely.
But Hope officials say their platform is 5 feet 11 inches from the centerline. The error was discovered when Amtrak officials inspected the track.
The city says work will begin soon to fix the problem.
Amtrak plans to add a stop in Hope for its Texas Eagle service, which already makes other Arkansas stops on its run between San Antonio and Chicago.
©2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
