Author Archives: Lauren Amway Fink

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.

SEPTA Route 101 & 102 Winter Outage Schedule for January & February

*** ROUTE 101 and 102 CONSTRUCTION NOTICE *** Winter Outage Schedule ***
Route 101 and 102 Trolley Shuttle Bus Substitution
69th St. Transportation Center to Media & Sharon Hill

For several weekends, beginning with the first train Saturday morning, through end of service Sunday throughout the month of January and February 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.

January
January 06-07
January 20-21
January 27-28

February
February 3-4
February 10-11
February 17-18
February 24-25

SEPTA is committed to providing safe, reliable service to our customers and the communities we serve, and this shuttle bus substitution is necessary to allow SEPTA and third-party forces to safely perform track construction, rehabilitate signals and interlockings and upgrade with a signal modernization project along the Route 101 and 102 Trolley Lines.

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 New Year’s Holiday & Mummers Parade Service Information

The SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Waterfront features two shows, one at 6 pm and the second at midnight, over the Delaware River. To avoid traffic, take the Market-Frankford Line (MFL) to 2nd Street or Bus Routes 9, 12, 17, 21, 25, 33, 40, 42 or 57.

New Year’s Eve SEPTA Modified Service & Bus Detours 

On New Year’s Eve, SEPTA Regional Rail trains will operate on Sunday schedules with special late-night service. The late-night New Year’s Eve schedules include added service to Chestnut Hill East, Fox Chase, Lansdale/Doylestown, Malvern, Marcus Hook, Manayunk/Norristown, Media/Wawa, Trenton, Warminster and West Trenton. Regional Rail will also provide additional late-night service on the Trenton Line for connections to/from NJT/NYC.

The Broad Street (BSL) and Market-Frankford lines will operate on Sunday schedules. Additional trains will operate before and after the New Year’s Eve fireworks at Penn’s Landing, with late night trains available.

Buses and Trolleys will run on Sunday schedule. In preparation for the Mummers Parade, the following bus routes will be detoured from noon to 8 pm on 15th Street between JFK Boulevard and Chestnut Street: 4, 16, 17, 27, 31, 32, 33, 44, 48, 124 and 125. Always refer to System Status for updated detour information.

New Year’s Day Modified Service 

On New Year’s Day, Metro (includes MFL, BSL, Norristown High Speed Line, & Trolleys), Buses and Regional Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule.

Mummers Parade Bus Detours 

The following SEPTA Bus routes will operate on a temporary detour: 2, 4, 9, 12, 16, 17, 21, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 40, 42, 44, 45, 48, 49, 64, 124, 125, BSO and MFO. Detours will begin as early as 3 am on December 31 on certain routes. View the full Mummers Day Parade Route and the impact on SEPTA customers and traffic.

View System Status for alerts, advisories and detours across the system. To get the latest service news, call Customer Service at 215-580-7800 or follow SEPTA @SEPTA. Customer Service is open on New Year’s Eve from 8 am – 5 pm and New Year’s Day from 7 am – 7 pm.

SEPTA’s Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve Modified Service Information

If you’re riding SEPTA on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, make sure you check your schedule as all modes will be running on modified service. 

Christmas Eve Modified Service Schedules

On Christmas Eve, Metro (Market-Frankford, Broad Street and Norristown High Speed lines, & Trolleys), Buses and Regional Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule.

Christmas Day Modified Metro & Bus Service Schedules

On Christmas Day, Metro and Bus routes will operate on a Sunday schedule.

Christmas Day Modified Regional Rail Service Schedules

All Regional Rail lines will run on special Christmas schedules. Refer to the Special Regional Rail Christmas Schedules for your line.

View System Status for alerts, advisories, and detours across the system. To get the latest service news, call Customer Service at 215-580-7800 or follow SEPTA @SEPTA.

Customer Service is open on Christmas Eve from 8 am – 5 pm and Christmas Day from 8 am – 4:30 pm. Plan your New Year’s Eve ahead of time, see New Year’s Eve modified service & special schedules to/from Center City.

SEPTA 101 & 102 December Weekend Outage Schedule

For several weekends, beginning with the first train Saturday morning, through end of service Sunday throughout the month of December, 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.

Route 101

December 9-10

December 16-17

Route 102

December 9-10

December 16-17

SEPTA Transportation Managers and Operators will use this time to test and train the new system.  As a reminder, this new communications system will provide centralized supervision and scheduling of the lines from SEPTA’s Integrated Control Center as well as increased safety precautions and on-time performance.

SEPTA WINTER WEATHER PREPARATIONS AND RESPONSE

WINTER WEATHER PREPARATIONS AND RESPONSE

Regional Rail

Frozen switches and ice on overhead wires or the electrical poles on top of rail cars can delay or shut down Regional Rail service.

Maintenance crews work to keep the corridor between Center City Philadelphia and Lansdale open so SEPTA can continue to provide service on the main branch if frozen switches prevent trains from operating on other lines.

Amtrak owns the tracks on which the Wilmington/Newark, Paoli/Thorndale, and Trenton Lines operate. SEPTA works with Amtrak to resolve weather-related problems.

Broad Street & Market-Frankford Lines

The Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line are best bets for riders during severe winter storms.

SEPTA keeps the cars ready for service by storing them overnight in tunnels and maintenance car houses. Crews are assigned to keep station entrances, platforms and sidewalks clean of ice and snow.

Bus Routes & Trolley Lines

During a winter snow or ice emergency, SEPTA will attempt to operate all bus service, although a large number of routes may be detoured. We try to maintain service without detours on our most heavily used routes, which generally operate over streets that have been given a high priority for snow removal.

CCT Connect

Depending on road conditions, full CCT service may be provided in some areas, while limited or no service may be provided in others.

During extreme weather conditions when CCT service is suspended, every effort will be made to continue service for kidney dialysis and other urgent, critically-needed medical treatment.

Travel Tips

Dress for the Cold

Wear several layers of loose fitting, lightweight, warm clothing. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Don’t forget a hat and scarf.

Prepare Your Car

Check the antifreeze level, wiper blade wear, and the heater and defroster.

Prepare a Winter Weather Emergency Kit

Include a shovel, windshield scraper, small broom, flashlight, road salt or sand, booster cables, emergency flares, and first aid kit.

Drive Cautiously

When traveling in wintry conditions, give yourself extra time to travel to and from the station

Walk Carefully

Watch your step making your way along sidewalks, parking lots, stairs, station walkways and platforms, and when you board and exit vehicles.

Weather Preparation and Clearing for Regional Rail

SEPTA has a program in place for weather preparations as well as clearing parking lots and platforms at SEPTA’s Regional Rail stations. An in-house “Snow Team” monitors weather forecasts and conditions to determine the best time to send out our internal and contractor forces.

If snow or ice is anticipated, team members often treat surfaces with deicing products as part of our bad weather preparations.

Generally, snow removal starts when the snow stops. But with a service area covering 2200 square miles, the exact time may vary depending on conditions.

SEPTA uses third-party contractors for platform and parking lot snow removal and salting at all Regional Rail stations. Each contractor is responsible for eight to 10 stations. Once they go out it will take some time to get all stations cleared.

The timing of the storm is critical. If the snowfall occurs during the day, the contractors’ first task is clearing the station entrances and exits. Later, when the cars are gone, they will return to clear the lots for the following morning.

SEPTA maintenance forces may also be deployed, in advance of the contractor’s arrival, to clear steps and walkways.

PHILADELPHIA HOLIDAY PARADE, DEC. 2, BUS DETOURS & ROAD CLOSURE INFO

PHILADELPHIA HOLIDAY PARADE, DEC. 2, BUS DETOURS & ROAD CLOSURES

6abc in partnership with Bank of America presents the Philly Holiday Parade beginning 5 pm on Saturday, December 2, 2023. Below is a summary of SEPTA bus detours and road closures that will be in effect for the duration of the parade.

To get to the parade on SEPTA – ride the Market-Frankford Line to get a great spot on the parade route!

Philadelphia Holiday Parade Route

The parade starts at 2nd and Market Streets; travels Westbound on Market Street toward City Hall; right onto Juniper Street; left onto JFK Boulevard; right onto N. Broad Street and ends at City Hall.

Impact on Customers

SEPTA Bus Routes 5, 12, 17, 21, 33, 42 and 48 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 9 am on Saturday, December 2 through approximately 8 pm.

SEPTA Bus Routes 4, 16, 23, 27, 31, 32, 38, 45, 47, 47M, 57, 61 and 124/125 will be detoured from their regular routes beginning at 3:30 pm on Saturday, December 2 through approximately 8 pm.

Bus detour information and updates or changes to service will be published on System Status. Refer to the Holiday Parade Bus Detour Map to easily find detoured bus routes.

Impact on Area Traffic

Streets will be closed in many parts of Center City to accommodate the parade route. Traffic delays can be expected. Motorists are advised to find alternate routes, avoid areas along the parade route, allow for extra driving time and proceed with caution.

Road closures by the city of Philadelphia, follow this link for more information.

Additional detours could be added throughout the day due to unscheduled road closures.

View System Status for the most up to date information on detours across the system. To get the latest service news, call Customer Service at 215-580-7800 or follow SEPTA @SEPTA.