SEPTA Begins West Trenton Line New Switch and Signal Installation Project
Written by Jennifer McLawhorn, Managing Editor
Courtesy of SEPTA
TRENTON, N.J. - SEPTA begins work on the new switch and signal installation project on the West Trenton Line. This work will run until October 19th.
According to the release from SEPTA, the work began June 9th between Bethayres Station and Red Lion Road. While the project runs through October 19th, construction of varying degrees, SEPTA reports, will likely continue through 2027. Crews will work to build a new “universal switch and signal system, replacing an unused crossover switch with a modernized version to support SEPTA’s railroad operations on the West Trenton Line.” Subsequently, this will reduce track outages for the upcoming Jenkintown-Wynecote Station ADA Improvement Project.
Crews will work during the week from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with possible hours extending into the evening, overnights, and weekends as needed. From June 9th to June 13th, crews will drill and pour four caisson foundations that are used to brace existing catenary poles on Philmont Avenue next to the tracks. Throughout September, crews will work 12-hour daytime shifts to raise both tracks in the area by “dumping large amounts of ballast/stone along the tracks.” SEPTA says to anticipate increased noise during this work.
Over the course of three weekends in October, crews will drill an additional six caisson foundations. This work requires “single tracking of the West Trenton Line.” Caisson work will require vegetation management along the right-of-way on the Dale Road side of the railroad. Additionally, crews will work overnight to install conduit and wire at the catenary pole located at 2381 Philmont Avenue. Starting in late 2026, crews will then install track switches over the course of 4-6 weekends.
