Author Archives: Lauren Amway Fink

Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) Bridge Replacement Project over Darby Creek in Delaware County

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll joined industry and local officials for a groundbreaking ceremony today to mark the start of construction on a $35.8 million project to replace the bridges that carry Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) over Darby Creek in Prospect Park Borough and Tinicum Township, Delaware County.
Carroll highlighted how the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) is bringing over $4 billion in additional road and bridge improvements to Pennsylvania. Governor Shapiro has also proposed investing $1.5 billion more in Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges over five years.
The BIL is accelerating and supporting projects across Pennsylvania. The Route 420 project – 100% federally funded — illustrates the importance of federal investments.
Under this project, PennDOT’s contractor will replace the superstructure and substructure of the northbound and southbound bridges over Darby Creek. The new crossing will be built as one bridge instead of the two that currently carry traffic over Darby Creek. In-stream work including causeways and cofferdams will be utilized for construction of the replacement structures. Rock protection will also be used for both structures, and streambed stabilization and replacement of the fender system will be included as part of the site improvements.
In addition, existing lighting on the bridges will be replaced or upgraded, and a pedestrian trail crossing will be constructed under the structures adjacent to the southern abutments. The trail will provide a connection to the adjacent John Heinz Wildlife Refuge. The 8-10 foot wide shared-use path will be built on the western side of Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) to the north of Darby Creek. A shared-use path will also be constructed on both sides of Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) south of Darby Creek and connect to the existing parking lots at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge.
During construction on this bridge replacement project, two lanes of traffic will be maintained at all times for northbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) motorists, and one lane of traffic will be maintained at all times for southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) motorists through the work area.
On Friday, May 19, PennDOT’s contractor closed the left lane on southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) between 4th Avenue and Interstate 95 to begin bridge reconstruction on the southbound structure. The single lane closure will be in place 24/7 until the new bridge is completed.
During the long-term lane closure, oversized vehicles over 10-feet-wide will be prohibited from using southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) through the project limits. Drivers will be directed to use U.S. 13 (Chester Pike), Stewart Avenue and Route 291 (Industrial Highway) to access Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) south of I-95.
Access to southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) from Lazaretto Road will be prohibited for all motorists. Motorists will be directed to follow the posted detour route to access southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue).
Access to northbound and southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue) from Lafayette Avenue at 2nd Avenue will be prohibited for all motorists except emergency vehicles. Motorists will be directed to follow the posted detour routes to access northbound and southbound Route 420 (Wanamaker Avenue).
Drivers are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work areas because significant backups and delays will occur. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.
For more information, visit: https://www.penndot.pa.gov/regionaloffices/district-6/pages/details.aspx?newsid=8365

Community Outreach Forum- 6/5/23 at Interboro High School from 6-8PM

COMMUNITY OUTREACH FORUM:

WHEN: Monday, June 5th, 2023 from 6pm-8pm

WHERE: Interboro High School Auditorium, 500 16th Ave., Prospect Park, PA 19076

Make your voice heard! Come see and hear plans for the Chester Pike MultiModal Transportation Study for more efficient traveling on Rt. 13.

For more information on the Chester Pike Corridor Improvement Partners and to view the Master Plan, go to www.chesterpike.org

SEPTA May Outage May 13th through 21st for 101 Trolley Line

Beginning Saturday May 13th through Sunday, May 21st SEPTA shuttle buses will replace Route 101 Trolleys between Woodland Ave (Springfield) and Orange Street (Media). Customers should plan for approximately 15 minutes of additional travel time and look for signage at stations for bus boarding locations.

SEPTA and third-party forces will be replacing the timber on the Smedley Park Bridge (Springfield) during this outage. There will be a netting held underneath the bridge that will be in place for the duration of the outage and removed at completion. Please be aware of your surroundings during this time.

 

SEPTA 101 & 102 Spring Outage Schedule

Beginning with the first train Saturday morning, through end of service Sunday on the following days: April 22nd through 23rd and April 29th through 30th, SEPTA shuttle buses will replace all Route 101 & 102 Trolleys between 69th Street Transportation Center and Media (Orange Street) & Sharon Hill Station. Customers should plan for approximately 15 minutes of additional travel time and look for signage at stations for bus boarding locations.

As a friendly reminder, SEPTA’s Route 101/102 track project is the installation of new a communications system, Communications Based Train Control (CBTC), which will automatically enforce trolley separation (stopping, to prevent accidents) and provide overspeed and roadway worker protection. We will also be addressing some necessary track improvements to pave the way for our Trolley Modernization project that is scheduled for a few years out.

The construction for this project began in the summer of 2015 and will conclude this summer, 2023. At any point there is construction along either line in accordance with this project, we put a bus substitution in place to allow our crews to test locations along both lines.

 

UPCOMING Bus Revolution Events in April 2023

UPCOMING Bus Revolution Events

 Virtual and In-Person Opportunities for Riders to Learn More About

The Updated Draft Bus Network and Provide Feedback

 

In-Person Events Highlight a Full Week of Engagement Opportunities

Bus Revolution Public Engagement Opportunities This Week
SEPTA has released its updated Draft Bus Network and is beginning a new round of public engagement to receive further input on its Bus Revolution initiative from customers, stakeholders and communities.

The Updated Draft Bus Network is now posted on the Bus Revolution website – https://www.septabusrevolution.com/ – along with various tools and supplemental information to help riders understand the draft network and learn how the proposed changes will achieve mobility goals in the City and region.

Upcoming Bus Revolution Community Events Through April 21, 2023

Wednesday, April 12 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM – Kingsessing Community Meeting

In-Person

Kingsessing Rec Center

4901 Kingsessing Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19143

 

Thursday, April 13 | 6:00 – 8:00 PM – Mayfair Community Meeting

In-Person

Mayfair Community Center

2990 St. Vincent Street, Philadelphia, PA  19149

 

Wednesday, April 12 | 3:00 – 6:00 PM – Center City Project Bus Pop Up

In-Person

Center City Philadelphia

15th & JFK Boulevard

 

Thursday, April 13 | 7:30 – 9:30 AM – Frankford Project Bus Pop Up

In-Person

Frankford Transportation Center

5223 Frankford Ave., Philadelphia, PA  19124

 

Monday, April 17 | 6:30 PM – Center City & West Philadelphia Webinar

Virtual

Register Online:

https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ATfKl-xBRuKGX9IbF5fbww

 

Tuesday, April 18 | 7:30 – 9:30 AM – Chester Project Bus Pop Up

In-Person

Chester Transportation Center

595 Avenue of the States, Chester, PA  19013

 

Tuesday, April 18 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Darby Project Bus Pop Up

In-Person

Darby Transportation Center

Main Street & MacDade Boulevard, Darby, PA  19023

 

Wednesday, April 19 | 5:30 – 7:30 PM – Bustleton Community Meeting

In-Person

Bustleton Memorial American Legion Post 810

9151 Old Newtown Road, Philadelphia, PA  19115

 

Wednesday, April 19 | 7:30 – 9:30 AM – Nicetown Project Bus Pop Up

In-Person

23rd & Venango Bus Loop

23rd & Venango Streets, Philadelphia, PA  19140

 

Wednesday, April 19 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Wissahickon Project Bus Pop Up

In-Person

Wissahickon Transportation Center

Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA  19127

 

Thursday, April 20 | 4:30 – 6:30 PM – West Oak Lane Community Meeting

In-Person

Simons Recreation Center

7200 Woolston Avenue, Philadelphia, PA  19138

 

During last fall’s outreach, SEPTA received more than 5,000 comments, which were considered in the development of the Updated Draft.  While SEPTA could not incorporate every suggestion or request, the updated bus network reflects rider, resident and stakeholder priorities shared throughout this process – including, increased frequency, additional service on weekend days, and more direct trips with fewer transfers.

 

The Bus Revolution Updated Draft:

  • Increases the number of frequent bus routes, on weekdays and weekend days
  • Simplifies bus routes so they operate the same way all day, every day
  • Adds more local bus services that run every 30 minutes
  • Allow people to travel further, faster
  • Better access to frequent bus service

The Bus Revolution spring outreach kicked off with a virtual Transit Talk on March 20 (Presentation | Recording).  Public engagement will continue to drive the Bus Revolution process, and SEPTA is inviting riders, residents and stakeholders to participate in upcoming public outreach events to provide input on the proposed changes to SEPTA’s City and Suburban bus network.  The full calendar of events is posted on the Bus Revolution site at: https://www.septabusrevolution.com/get-involved/ and the below events are happening this week.

Bus Revolution Resources to Share with Constituents and Stakeholders:

Regional Rail Schedule Changes Effective April 16, 2023

Ride Regional Rail? The schedules are a-changing effective Sunday, April 16, 2023 for these select lines: Chestnut Hill East, Chestnut Hill West, Fox Chase, Glenside Combined, Paoli/Thorndale, Trenton, West Trenton, and Wilmington/Newark.

Look for MAJOR CHANGES to weekend schedules on the Trenton Line and Chestnut Hill East Line to accommodate AMTRAK state of good repair work on the Northeast Corridor as well as the West Trenton Line and Chestnut Hill West Line for ongoing SEPTA repair work.

Service on Regional Rail remains at 75% of pre-pandemic weekday levels.

Click here for schedule links and highlights of the changes.

Please note – there are NO CHANGES to the schedules for these lines:

CYNWYD (eff. August 21, 2022),
LANSDALE/DOYLESTOWN (eff. January 8, 2023),
MANYUNK/NORRISTOWN (eff. August 21, 2022)
MEDIA/WAWA (rev. August 23, 2022)

**UPDATE-CANCELLED** Shuttle Bus Substitution at ALL 101 & 102 Stations: March 25 – 26 & April 1 – 2, 2023

**UPDATE- CANCELLED** for the weekend of April 1st & 2nd

Shuttle Bus Substitution at ALL Stations:
Saturday & Sunday,  April 1 – 2, 2023

Due to track construction and maintenance, shuttle buses will replace ALL trolleys on the dates and times noted above.

ROUTE 101 & 102 SHUTTLE BUS SERVICE

Shuttle Buses will depart 69th St. Transportation Center, Sharon Hill & Media according to the regular schedule.

Customers should plan for up to 15 minutes of additional travel time.

Shuttle Buses will board at or near Trolley Stations. Please look for signage posted at Stations for additional boarding information.

Regular Route 101 & 102 Trolley service will resume at the start of the service day on Monday.

Visit SEPTA’s website for details: https://realtime.septa.org/routes/status/101

SEPTA Board Awards Contract for Purchase of New Trolley Fleet

SEPTA  – Thursday, February 23, 2023 – awarded a contract to Alstom Transportation Inc. for the purchase of modern, fully ADA-compliant trolley vehicles to replace the Authority’s entire aging fleet of trolleys.

This represents a major step forward for Trolley Modernization– SEPTA’s program to transform the nation’s largest trolley network into an accessible, fast, and easy-to-use system.

“Trolley Modernization poses economic benefits for both riders and the region at large,” said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon Sr. “This project will strengthen existing connections by improving transit services that link workers to jobs, students to schools, and diverse communities to each other – supporting local businesses and an affordable cost-of-living for everyone.”

Trolley Modernization is a core component of SEPTA’s Strategic Plan to create a “lifestyle transit network” – a transit system that can be easily used for any type of trip – not just traditional 9-to-5 commutes to work.

Under the contract – SEPTA will receive 130 trolleys with the option to order up to 30 additional vehicles. The total contract amount for the base order is $714,239,455.

Delivery of the new trolleys is scheduled to begin in 2027 with full fleet delivery by the end of 2030.

The new trolleys will be longer and have higher capacity to move more passengers.

The fleet will feature low floors and ramps; wider pathways; audio and visual messaging systems to communicate upcoming stops and service changes; and designated open space for wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and bicycles.

“SEPTA is committed to ensuring our trolleys meet the needs of all riders – people with disabilities, seniors, families with small children, new users, and anyone who needs a little more help to get where they are going,” said SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards. “SEPTA is still seeking over $800 million in competitive grants, and state and local funding, to make all the improvements necessary for seamless boarding. We are doing everything we can to move this project forward but we need to secure new options for funding to leverage the once-in-a-generation infusion of federal dollars.”

Together – SEPTA’s eight trolley lines run for 68 miles and connect communities in West Philadelphia, Southwest Philadelphia, North Philadelphia, and Delaware County directly with the region’s two largest employment and healthcare centers – Center City and University City.

The current trolley vehicles have served riders since the early 1980s.

SEPTA is building on-street stations to serve the new trolleys and rebuilding underground stations to be fully accessible.

The Authority is also making significant operational and infrastructure improvements and extending some trolley lines to key locations to make connections to other SEPTA services easier. SEPTA is working on new and improved maintenance facilities to serve the new fleet.

Funding for Trolley Modernization comes from  SEPTA’s Fiscal Year 2023 Capital Budget and 12-year Program

In addition to Trolley Modernization – this Capital Program advances several other SEPTA Forward initiatives such as Bus Revolution , King of Prussia Rail  station accessibility, and rail fleet replacements. These projects work together to promote and strengthen regional growth and connect people with opportunity.

CITY AND SUBURBAN TRANSIT SCHEDULE CHANGES EFFECTIVE SUNDAY, 2/26 AND MONDAY, 2/27

CITY AND SUBURBAN TRANSIT SCHEDULE CHANGES EFFECTIVE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26 AND MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27

On Sunday, February 26 and Monday, February 27 – new Suburban and City Transit schedules take effect for some SEPTA routes/lines. This includes expanded service for Bus Route 135 in Chester County.

Here are the routes/lines with new schedules:

To Visit the real-time site, click here then select your mode of travel: Bus, Subway (for Broad Street Line and NHSL), or Trolley (101/102). Go to TIMETABLE and select the date (February 26) to see the new service schedules.

Please note the Market-Frankford Line schedule is NOT changing.

Regional Rail schedules also remain unchanged at this time.

SEPTA 101 & 102 Winter Outage Schedule

*** ROUTE 101 and 102 CONSTRUCTION NOTICE ***
Winter Outage Schedule

March 18th – 19th

March 25th & 26th

*Dates are subject to change in the event of inclement weather*

Route 101 and 102 Trolley Shuttle Bus Substitution
69th St. Transportation Center to Media & Sharon Hill

For the following weekends, beginning with the first train Saturday morning, through end of service Sunday: March 18th through 19th & March 25th & 26th, SEPTA shuttle buses will replace all Route 101 & 102 Trolleys between 69th Street Transportation Center and Media (Orange Street) & Sharon Hill Station. Customers should plan for approximately 15 minutes of additional travel time and look for signage at stations for bus boarding locations.

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 greatly appreciates your patience and understanding while these important improvements are being made.