Author Archives: Lauren Amway Fink

PennDOT to Host Virtual and In-Person Public Meetings for the Route 352 and U.S. 1 Improvement Project in Middletown Township, Delaware County

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to attend a live virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 19, and/or an in-person public meeting on Thursday, September 26, for the upcoming project to improve travel and safety on Route 352 and U.S. 1 in Middletown Township, Delaware County.

This project includes the reconstruction and reconfiguration of the interchanges of U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) with Route 352 (Middletown Road) and U.S. 1 (Media Bypass) with Baltimore Pike. The project also includes improvements at the adjacent intersections of U.S. 1 (Baltimore Pike) with Route 452 (Pennell Road), and Route 352 (Middletown Road) with Route 452 (Pennell Road).

As part of PennDOT’s public outreach program, the department encourages the public to attend the live virtual public meeting on Thursday, September 19, beginning at 7:00 PM, by clicking on this Microsoft Live Teams meeting link prior to the presentation start time. The department’s design team will deliver a project presentation before opening the meeting to questions using the platform’s Q&A feature.

Please note that internet access or a computer or mobile device are required to view the virtual meeting. Anyone with special needs or requiring special aid is requested to contact PennDOT Project Manager Madeleine Fausto at 610-205-6848 or Design Project Manager Ryan Binder at 215-861-1687.

Members of the public who are unable to join the online meeting, can attend an in-person public meeting on Thursday, September 26, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Middletown Township Administration Building.  The meeting will be conducted as an Open House Plans Display where citizens will have the opportunity to circulate among the subject displays to gather information and discuss the different facets of the project with PennDOT’s design team.

For more information on the upcoming meetings, project resources and other project information, please visit www.pa352us1delco.com. 

PennDOT to Host Open House Plans Display for Proposed Improvement Projects along I-95 in Delaware County

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to attend one of two I-95 Open Houses on Monday, September 16, and Tuesday, September 17, to learn about the proposed projects along Interstate 95 between the Delaware state line and I-476 in Delaware County, including the I-95/U.S. 322 Interchange, the Chester noise walls, and other projects nearby.

The purpose of the public meetings is to update the community on these proposed improvement projects and to gather comments and feedback. The meeting will be conducted as an Open House where citizens will have the opportunity to circulate among the subject displays to gather information and discuss the different facets of the project with PennDOT’s design teams.
The dates and locations for the two upcoming public meetings are:
Monday, September 16, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
True Vine Missionary Full Gospel Baptist Church
701 Morton Ave., Chester, PA 19013
Tuesday, September 17, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Chester City Hall Community Room
1 E. 4th Street, Chester, PA 19013
If you have questions, need additional information, or have special needs requiring assistance prior to the upcoming meetings, please contact info@95revive.com.
For more information on the proposed I-95 projects in Delaware County, visit www.95Delco.com or call the I-95 Helpline at 215-513-1399.
Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at the PennDOT Projects page: https://gis.penndot.pa.gov/paprojects/PAProjects.aspx

Minimize your impact on I-95 traffic. Visit dctma.org/commute95 to stay up to date on all the latest I-95 construction updates and find out ways to make your commute easier. To sign up for our Weekly I-95 Distribution List, email: info@dctma.org.

Public hearings for SEPTA’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget have been scheduled the week of May 20, 2024

SEPTA reminds customers that Public hearings for SEPTA’s Fiscal Year 2025 Budget have been scheduled the week of May 20.  SEPTA has released its proposed total budget of $2.6 billion for Fiscal Year 2025 – a $1.74 billion Operating Budget and $922.8 million Capital Budget.

SEPTA’s budget relies on funding from Governor Shapiro’s proposed statewide transit funding proposal.   The Governor’s proposed $283 million annual statewide operating investment in public transportation, including $161 million for SEPTA, would be Pennsylvania’s largest transit funding increase in more than a decade.
The $1.74 billion Operating Budget Proposal includes a doubling in funding for safe, clean, and secure initiatives since Fiscal Year 2022 – a total of $72 million that includes funding for 40 more police officers, 30 more safety professionals, and 100 more cleaners. The proposal also features the ongoing expansion of SEPTA Key Advantage, which now has 50 partners and 91,000 participants, as well as SEPTA’s Efficiency and Accountability Program, which has already recognized $50.2 million in annual recurring benefits.

The $922.8 million Capital Budget Proposal is part of an all-time high $14 billion 12-year Capital Program, enabling the largest-ever investments in improved safety, cleanliness, and security – supported by the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA). The proposal includes new full-length fare gates to reduce fare evasion and new cleaning equipment to support the expanded cleaning staff.

By the end of the 12-year program, all Broad Street Line [B], Market-Frankford Line [L], and Trolley trips will be through an accessible station – compared to 61% today. SEPTA continues to operate one of the oldest rail fleets in the country, and for the first time, this budget funds at least a partial replacement of each aging fleet. The Broad Street Line [B], Market-Frankford Line [L], and Trolley fleet replacements are all fully funded, while the Regional Railcar fleet replacement is partially funded.

There will be four public hearings on the Operating Budget and two public hearings on the Capital Budget. The SEPTA Board will consider the proposals at its June meeting. If approved, they will go into effect with the start of Fiscal Year 2025 on July 1.

Operating Budget Hearings:

Capital Budget Hearings:

The hearings will take place in-person at SEPTA Headquarters – 1234 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA  19107 – and virtually via WebEx.  Information on how to participate and submit comments is available online at https://wwww.septa.org/wp-content/uploads/board/public/FY2025-Budget-Hearing-Public-Notice.pdf

For the first time, the Authority’s Operating and Capital Budget Proposals are being presented as an integrated document on a modern web platform, which is ADA compliant to ensure that people with visual or hearing impairments can navigate SEPTA’s budget data.  Customers and members of the public are encouraged to review the budget information and participate in the public process.

SEPTA 101 & 102 Weekend Shuttle Busing in May

For several weekends, beginning with the first train Saturday morning, through end of service Sunday throughout the month of MAY, SEPTA shuttle buses will replace all Route 101 & 102 Trolleys between 69th Street Transportation Center and end of line Media (Orange Street) & Sharon Hill Stations on weekends only. Customers should plan for approximately 15 minutes of additional travel time and look for signage at stations for bus boarding locations. REGULAR TROLLEY SERVICE WILL RUN IN APRIL.
May Dates of Weekend Shuttle Busing are below:
May 4-5
May 11-12
May 18-19
Full details on the Route 101 & 102 shuttle busing, including downloadable timetables, will be posted on the Route 101/102 Service Improvement Program page on SEPTA’s website at: http://www.septa.org/.

SEPTA 101/102 Shuttle Busing Schedule for March and April

For several weekends, beginning with the first train Saturday morning, through end of service Sunday throughout the month of March and April SEPTA shuttle buses will replace all Route 101 & 102 Trolleys between 69th Street Transportation Center and end of line Media (Orange Street) & Sharon Hill Stations on weekends only. Customers should plan for approximately 15 minutes of additional travel time and look for signage at stations for bus boarding locations.

Dates of Shuttle Busing are below:

March
March 2-3
March 9-10
March 16-17
March 23-24

April
April 6-7
April 13-14
April 20-21

SEPTA thanks you for your patience as their crews wrap up the final testing phase of this important safety project.

 

CAP Demolition to Close I-95 South for 36 Hours February 24-26 in Center City Philadelphia

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reminds motorists that southbound Interstate 95 will be closed and detoured from Saturday evening, February 24, to Monday morning, February 26, between I-676/Callowhill Street (Exit 22) and the Morris Street on-ramp in Philadelphia. This closure comes as PennDOT continues demolition under the $329 million CAP project to replace and expand the covered area over I-95 in Penn’s Landing.

Weather permitting, motorists are advised of the following weekend travel restrictions:

The Market Street ramp to I-95 South, which closed on Monday, February 19, will remain closed through Monday, March 11. Drivers will be directed to follow the posted detour signs to southbound Columbus Boulevard and access I-95 South at Morris Street. Trucks will use the Front Street on-ramp to I-95 South.

Motorists are advised to avoid the closure areas this weekend because significant backups and delays will occur on I-95, the alternate routes and several surface streets in the vicinity of the work area.

Several regional detours will be in place that will advise motorists to use I-76, I-276, I-476, U.S. 1, Route 309, the New Jersey Turnpike, I-295 and U.S. 130 to access I-95 South below the closure area.

Electronic message boards on I-76, I-276, I-476, and other regional transportation arteries in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey are being used to alert motorists about the closure and provide information about alternate routes.

PennDOT will have an I-95 CAP Closure Detours page on its 511PAOpens In A New Window website where real-time travel times are displayed for the alternate routes around the I-95 South closure. Users can also see traffic cameras, incidents, construction, weather forecasts and alerts, and traffic speeds on the map.

The weekend closures are being coordinated with neighboring states, the City of Philadelphia, the Sports Complex, SEPTA, and other stakeholders and transportation agencies across the region.

On Monday morning, February 5, PennDOT’s contractor reopened I-95 North in Center City Philadelphia several hours ahead of schedule after successful demolition and cleanup operations to safely bring down the existing covered sections over the northbound lanes.

By replacing and extending the cap over I-95 and Columbus Boulevard between Chestnut and Walnut streets, the I-95 Central Access Philadelphia (CAP) ProjectOpens In A New Window will improve pedestrian and multimodal connections between Center City and the waterfront. The project has two main components: a new Park at Penn’s Landing, and a new signature bridge at South Street, both of which will also extend over Columbus Boulevard to connect cyclists and pedestrians to the newly completed Delaware River Trail.

The new Park will be an 11.5-acre civic space spanning I-95 and Columbus Boulevard between Chestnut and Walnut streets, extending from Front Street to the Delaware River. It will include amenities including gardens, play areas, flexible open space, a contemplative setting for the Irish and Scottish Memorials, and a mass-timber Pavilion.

Additional project details, construction updates, project detours and other information are available at www.95revive.comOpens In A New Window and parkatpennslanding.comOpens In A New Window.

Information about infrastructure in District 6, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D6Results. Find PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects at www.projects.penndot.gov.

Subscribe to PennDOT District 6 news and traffic alerts at www.penndot.pa.gov/District6.

CAP Demolition to Close I-95 North for 36 Hours February 3-5 in Center City Philadelphia

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that northbound Interstate 95 will be closed and detoured from Saturday evening, February 3, to Monday morning, February 5, between Columbus Boulevard (Exit 20) and Interstate 676 (Exit 22). This closure comes as PennDOT begins partial demolition of the existing concrete covering over I-95 between Chestnut and Walnut streets under the $329 million project to replace and expand the covered area at Penn’s Landing in Center City Philadelphia.

During the closure, northbound I-95 will remain open to Columbus Boulevard (Exit 20) for local traffic only.

Motorists are advised of the following travel restrictions:

From 6:00 PM Saturday, February 3, to 5:00 AM Monday, February 5, the following ramps will be closed:

Motorists are advised to avoid the closure area because significant backups will occur on I-95 approaching the work area, and on Columbus Boulevard and surface streets in the vicinity of the work area.

Pedestrian access between Center City and the waterfront will be maintained on Dock Street and Market Street during construction.

During the closure, access to I-95 North — but not I-676 West — will be available at the ramp from Summer Street at Columbus Boulevard just north of the Ben Franklin Bridge; or by continuing north on Columbus Boulevard to the Girard Avenue/Aramingo Interchange (Exit 23).

To reach I-676, motorists will be directed to either continue north on Columbus Boulevard, turn left on Spring Garden Street, and left on 6th Street to access I-676 East; or take Spring Garden Street and turn left on 8th Street to access westbound I-676. Motorists can also continue north on Columbus Boulevard to the Girard Avenue/Aramingo Interchange (Exit 23) and use I-95 South to access I-676 West.

Traffic heading north on I-95 from south of the Walt Whitman Bridge; and traffic on westbound I-76 from New Jersey will be advised to use I-76 West and I-676 East to access I-95 North.

A number of additional regional and local detours will also be in place in the vicinity of the work area. Electronic message boards on I-76, I-276, I-476, and other regional transportation arteries in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey will be used to alert motorists about the closure and provide specific alternate routes.

The northbound closure will allow PennDOT’s contractors to begin taking down the section of the reinforced concrete covering over the northbound lanes of I-95. Additional closures of I-95 will be scheduled at a later date to demolish the remaining parts of the northbound cover and the covering over southbound I-95.

The date for the February 3-5 weekend closure was coordinated with neighboring states, Delaware and New Jersey, along with the City of Philadelphia, the Sports Complex, SEPTA, and other stakeholders and transportation agencies across the region.

By replacing and extending the cap over I-95 and Columbus Boulevard between Chestnut and Walnut streets, the I-95 Central Access Philadelphia (CAP) Project will improve pedestrian and multimodal connections between Center City and the waterfront. The project has two main components: a new Park at Penn’s Landing, and a new signature bridge at South Street, both of which will also extend over Columbus Boulevard to connect cyclists and pedestrians to the newly completed Delaware River Trail.

Detour Information:

Fourteen SEPTA Ticket Sales Windows Closing on February 2, 2024

SEPTA Ticket Sales Windows Closing

SEPTA is closing fourteen (14) tickets offices with low sales – fewer than 20 transactions per week. The closures include some stations within Delaware County. The last day for in-person ticket sales at these stations is Friday, February 2. 

A large majority of Regional Rail riders use SEPTA Key cards loaded with either passes (TrailPass, TransPass+, FleX Pass) or Travel Wallet (pay as you go). In addition – riders have the option of buying Quick Trip tickets from Conductors on board with cash, credit, and debit cards as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay.

Because of these options – in-person ticket sales has plummeted at many Regional Rail stations.

Here are the fourteen sales window locations closing:

► St. Martins

► Oreland

► Clifton

► North Hills

► Roslyn

► Chelten Avenue

► Chestnut Hill East

► Mount Airy

► Cheltenham

► East Falls

► Carpenter

► Melrose Park

► Wallingford

► Morton

The last day for in-person ticket sales at these stations is Friday, February 2, 2024. Conshohocken’s ticket office closed on November 23, 2023.

Registered SEPTA Key cardholders, SEPTA Key Senior Fare Card holders, SEPTA Key Reduced Fare Card holders, and CCT Card holders can access the station waiting areas of the stations listed above – except Chelten Avenue and Carpenter stations – during the designated times. These waiting areas offer seating, restrooms, and other amenities.

The ticket agents work for a third party – not SEPTA – and have been offered reassignment to other positions.

SEPTA will continue to offer in-person sales at 56 outlying commuter stations as well as the five Regional Rail hubs in Center City — Temple, Jefferson, Suburban, Gray 30th Street, and Penn Medicine stations.

For riders who have not made the move to SEPTA Key – an onboard ticket purchase is more expensive. A SEPTA Key card costs $4.95 to purchase but that cost will be reimbursed when you register your card at SEPTAKey.org. And with a registered Key card – you can access the station waiting areas!

Click here for the full list of stations, and details about the closures.