SEPTA readies for fourth annual Trolley Tunnel Blitz

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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SEPTA

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will perform power, track and station improvements during its Trolley Tunnel Blitz July 8 through July 10, temporarily suspending trolley routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36.

 

This is the fourth consecutive summer SEPTA has held the Trolley Tunnel Blitz. During this year’s nine-day tunnel closure, more than 400 members of SEPTA’s in-house Engineering, Maintenance & Construction Division crews will build on last year’s accomplishments and work around-the-clock on key maintenance and construction tasks.

“Since the first Trolley Tunnel Blitz in 2013, our crews have replaced switches and thousands of feet of rail and overhead contact wire and undertaken an aggressive improvement and cleaning program at the trolley stations,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey Knueppel “However, we still have work to do to bring the tunnel into a state of good repair.”

An average of 700 vehicles operate through the five-mile single loop Center City tunnel everyday. Because the tunnel is used 24 hours a day, SEPTA says it is difficult for its crews to get productive work windows to complete necessary repairs and improvements.

“The Trolley Tunnel Blitz allows SEPTA to maximize productivity during improvements projects while minimizing the period of inconvenience to passengers and communities because it is held during the summer when ridership is lower,” said Knueppel.

Members of SEPTA’s Power Department will remove and replace 1,500 feet of wood protection board on the eastbound side of the tunnel between 19th Street-22nd Street Stations. SEPTA’s Track Department will replace the existing track on the westbound side of the tunnel between 19th and 22nd Street Stations. This track has been in use for 30 years. The track department will also upgrade infrastructure directly outside of the 40th Street Portal.

Other work that will be completed during the tunnel closure includes completing signal and wire reliability work throughout the tunnel; performing critical maintenance tasks and component replacement work at the substation; performing maintenance tasks including graffiti removal, tile repair, painting, drain clearing and heavy cleaning at all stations and testing emergency generators and lighting throughout the tunnel.

SEPTA’s Trolley Tunnel Blitz is part of the Authority’s “Rebuilding the SEPTA System” capital program and funded through Pennsylvania Act 89.

 

 

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