SEPTA ramps up Crum Creek Viaduct work

Written by Mischa Wanek-Libman, editor
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SEPTA

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will halt train service between Elwyn and Swarthmore Stations on the Media/Elwyn Line June 18-19 as work on the Crum Creek Viaduct project intensifies.

 

This is the first weekend shutdown needed for the project, which will replace the 121-year-old viaduct. The 925-foot-long, 100-foot bridge was originally built in 1895 and underwent emergency repairs in 1983 to extend its useful life for 25 years. Thirty-two years after those emergency repairs, SEPTA says replacement is needed to ensure safe operation of the bridge and the project will see new track installed along with the installation of new girders, deck and catenary towers.

The $89.9 million project began in the winter of 2015 and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2017. The project is being built in three stages. Stage 1 saw temporary access roads constructed and the installation of new footings, piers and abutments. Rail outages will continue through September 2016 giving SEPTA’s project contractor time to complete Stage 2 of the project, which will see new girders, deck and catenary towers installed and new track placed. Stage 3 will see rail service restored and the complete removal of the old bridge and towers, as well as removal of the temporary access roads.

The Crum Creek Viaduct project is part of SEPTA’s “Rebuilding for the Future” initiative, which will allow SEPTA to rehabilitate or replace bridges, replace critical power systems and design and procure new vehicles during the next two decades.

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