Track Renewal Project Scheduled along SEPTA’s Route 15 Trolley
May 31, 2016
SEPTA Media Relations
SEPTA will conduct a track renewal project on a portion of its Route 15 trolley line from June 5 - September 3, 2016. The project will take place on Girard Avenue at the following locations: from the intersection at 58th Street to west of the intersection a 60th Street; Poplar Street from west of Ringgold Street to 25th Street; and from just east of 9th Street to the east curb line at Broad Street. Some of the track in this area was installed in the 1940s. Other track was installed in the1950s and 1970s.
The street structure supporting the tracks has deteriorated due to weather, traffic and the age of the road surface. SEPTA will excavate and replace approximately 9,800 track feet and repave the track area. The new track will result in reduced sound and vibration because the new rail is incased in an insulated rubber boot. The new and improved track components will make for a smoother ride.
Buses will replace trolleys along the entire Route 15 from June 5 - September 3, 2016. Trolleys will return between Frankford and Delaware Avenues and 63rd Street and Girard Avenue on September 4. Shuttle buses currently in use between Richmond Street and Allegheny Avenue and Front Street and Girard Avenue due to PennDOT construction will continue to operate in place of Route 15 trolleys.
SEPTA will also replace switches for the Route 10 and Route 15 trolleys at 59th and 60th Streets. Buses will replace Route 10 trolleys from June 5 - July 23, 2016. Route 10 passengers traveling to Center City will take buses to 33rd and Market Streets, where they can transfer to Route 11, 13, 34 or 36 trolleys to complete their trips. Westbound passengers should board Route 11, 13, 34 or 36 trolleys in Center City and transfer to the Route 10 bus at 33rd and Market Streets. Signs for buses will be posted at 33rd and Market Streets. The project will start at 60th Street and progress east over the summer. The inner lanes on Girard Avenue will be closed to all traffic in five separate, multi-block construction areas. Girard Avenue will remain open for emergency vehicles and deliveries during the entire track renewal project. Lanes for local traffic will be shifted in the construction area with the exception of 58th-60th Streets. Haverford and Girard Avenues will be closed to through traffic and detours will be posted. All side streets in the construction areas will be closed to thru traffic, but local traffic will be permitted up to construction sites. Parking will not be permitted in the area or adjacent to the tracks being reconstructed, however,exceptions will be made for those with special needs. Walking access for businesses will be arranged.
Normal construction hours will be Monday-Friday, 7am-8pm. Weekend work may be required to maintain the project schedule. Temporary trailers will be placed on the sidewalks at 59th Street north of Girard Avenue (east side of the street) and Girard Avenue through July 25, and on the sidewalk of Girard Avenue between Hutchinson and 10th Streets through September 5, 2016. Parking lanes on the north side of Girard between 58th and 59th Streets and on the north side of Poplar between Ringgold and 25th Streets will be closed through July so rail strings can be welded and stored until installation. The parking lane on the south side of Girard between 10th and 11th Streets will be closed through August for rail string welding and storage. For more information, please visit www.septa.org or call SEPTA Customer Service at (215) 580-7800.
