SEPTA begins work on Route 102 trolley
Written by jrood
SEPTA began a massive overhaul Sept. 8 of the Route 102 Sharon Hill Line-the first phase of various improvements of two trolley lines funded with $34 million in federal stimulus grants, the Delaware County Daily Times reports.
Work will continue through December,
with shuttle buses in place of trolleys during the project seven days a week
between Drexel Hill Junction and Sharon Hill. Riders should allow an extra 10
to 30 minutes for their commute.
Six projects will be
conducted on the Route 102 and Route 101 Media trolley lines, portions of which
date back to 1915. A total of 15,500 daily passengers use the two trolley
lines.
The projects include:
replacing bolted rail with continuous welded rail for a smoother ride;
improving signal warning devices for 19 highway grade crossings on both lines;
upgrading crossing warning devices at 10 intersections along Route 101;
installation of fiber-optic cable along both lines; painting catenary traction
power structures; and brush cutting.
Work on both lines is scheduled
to be completed in about one year.
In mid-August, SEPTA and
Delaware County Council announced the kickoff of 32 transit projects costing
$50 million funded with stimulus money that will take two years to complete.
Among other projects
scheduled to begin this year are the renovation of the 69th Street Terminal in
Upper Darby, including the restrooms; rehabilitation of the Darby Borough
Transportation Center and expansion of the inadequate parking lot at the Elwyn
Station of the R3 Media/Elwyn Line with 90 additional spaces by next summer.
Overall, SEPTA is embarking
on a total of 32 projects with $191 million in funding under the American
Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which enables the transit agency to fast-track
key capital projects.
