SEPTA completes Yardley Station improvements

Written by Kyra Senese, Managing Editor
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Credit: ISEPTAPhilly.com

Representatives from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) gathered Sept. 4 with elected officials and community members to celebrate the completion of the Yardley Station Improvement Project.

The project had received support from a federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant and Pennsylvania State Act 89, which provided the resources needed for SEPTA to invest in major improvements along its West Trenton Regional Rail Line.

With TIGER grant funding, SEPTA invested in the West Trenton Separation project, which SEPTA said was a critical program that allowed for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements at Yardley Regional Rail Station and the upcoming Yardley Substation Replacement project. Both projects are funded under Act 89. The substation project is set to replace infrastructure that is more than 80 years old.

“All of this shows how important it is for us to have strong advocates at the state, local and federal levels,” said SEPTA Board Chairman Pasquale T. Deon, Sr. “We look forward to continuing these valuable partnerships as we advance efforts to preserve our transportation network for future generations.”

The $5 million Yardley Station Improvement Project is part of the transportation authority’s Rebuilding the System program, and SEPTA said all work was completed using in-house forces.

To make the station fully ADA-accessible, the agency installed a high-level boarding platform that replaced the former lower level platform. The new high-level platform is intended to enable berthing a six-car train at the station, which officials said would allow for more efficient train operations.

In addition to the new high-level platform, Yardley Station work was also a complete renewal of station facilities, which entailed building ADA-compliant ramps and stairs, the installation of two new weather protected shelters and overall signage, as well as improved lighting and site accessory upgrades.

“Yardley Station is the fulfillment of a long-held goal to make this an ADA accessible station,” said SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel. “These station improvements combined with the upcoming substation project will enhance the travel experience for our customers.”

The Yardley Station was originally built in 1876 as part of the West Trenton Railroad Line built by North Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1879, the Reading Railroad leased the line, which eventually became part of SEPTA.

Yardley Station is situated along SEPTA’s West Trenton Regional Rail Line. On average, SEPTA said 350 weekday trips start or end at the station.

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