Amtrak making upgrades to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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Amtrak

Amtrak will make upgrades to Philadelphia 30th Street Station to improve the passenger experience, tend to the long-term infrastructure needs of the nearly 100 year-old building and improve pedestrian mobility in and around the facility. The projects represent about a $35 million investment.

 

“30th Street Station is an iconic fixture in Philadelphia,” said Stephen Gardner, Amtrak vice president of Northeast Corridor infrastructure and investment development. “As stewards of this national historic landmark, we are committed to maintaining its status as a first-class facility for passengers and further integrating the station into the vital University City neighborhood.”

Since Fall 2012, crews have been working on a reconstruction project along the west side of 30th Street Station that features a redesigned pedestrian plaza and reinforced basement structure. The new plaza, scheduled for completion by Thanksgiving 2013, will improve vehicle traffic and pedestrian flow around the station, enhance lighting for better security and visibility, provide safer walking and driving conditions and expand public parking. Below-ground work on the parking deck and basement will continue through 2014 to fortify the infrastructure and improve parking conditions.

Amtrak begins Phase 1 of a multi-million dollar restoration of the exterior facade of 30th Street Station with installation of a temporary sidewalk canopy system that will be erected around the sides of the building. The canopy will keep pedestrians safe and provide a weather-proof area under which to access the station while funding for Phase 2 (the remainder of the facade restoration) is identified. Construction of the canopy will begin this month and be paid for with approximately $2 million of Amtrak funds.

Passenger elevators that connect the train platforms with the main concourse will be replaced, along with elevators that service the employee office towers in the upper floors of the building. This is a $3 million Amtrak-funded project with work scheduled to begin this fall.

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