SEPTA to begin modernization project next week

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will begin a modernization project on its Route 101/102 (Media/Sharon Hill) trolley lines June 15.

 

The Media-Sharon Hill Line is comprised of three parts: the trunk from 69th Street Transportation Center to Drexel Hill Junction (Shadeland Avenue) used by both Route 101 and 102; stops from Huey Avenue to Media used by Route 101 and stops from Garrettford to Sharon Hill used by Route 102. During the 12-week summer trolley shutdown, 16 SEPTA in-house and third party contractor groups will work on a variety of projects on all three portions of the line.

Work taking place includes grade crossing renewals, track replacement and surfacing and replacement of wood bridge ties/timbers and walkway; general bridge structure repairs and maintenance; replacement of overhead trolley wire; vegetation clearing and tree trimming; installation of new trolley wire support structures in select locations; repairing or replacement of retaining walls at Drexeline and Springfield Mall Stations; replacement of drainage pipe and repairing drainage trench at Springfield Mall Station and grade-crossing warning device improvements at seven locations: MacDade Boulevard, Andrews Avenue, Bartram Avenue, Chestnut Street, Walnut Street, Broad Street and Spruce Street.

On the Route 101, superstructure replacement and substructure repairs will be made to the Whiskey Run Bridge (between Springfield Mall and Paper Mill Road Stations).
In Collingdale, Clifton Heights and Aldan, SEPTA will replace Route 102 rails and concrete roadway and repave the parking lanes on both sides of the street along Woodlawn Avenue and Springfield Road between North Street and West Madison Avenue. SEPTA will also install rubber rail boots around the new rails to lessen vibration and noise. The last time the trolley track and roadway was replaced in this area was 1983.

The work will be completed in 10 phases over the 12-week period, with rolling street closures along the construction zones.

SEPTA will also use the shutdown to begin the early action phase of installing a new Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) system.

“The CBTC system utilizes radio communications between the vehicles and the signal system to improve safety,” said Knueppel. “CBTC automatically prevents collisions between trolleys by enforcing safe stopping distances. The system also prevents trolleys from exceeding established speed limits.”

The CBTC system is scheduled to be completed by summer 2018 and will also include upgraded track crossovers for improved reliability and operational flexibility. The early action phase will begin with the replacement of certain track crossovers at Drexel Hill Junction.

Total costs for the Routes 101/102 Trolley Modernization Project is $100.60 million. The work is part of SEPTA’s “Rebuilding for the Future” capital program and funded through Pennsylvania Act 89.

 

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