Groundbreaking at Croydon Station

I had the day off today and so had the opportunity to attend a press conference to announce the groundbreaking at the Croydon train station. Luminaries included Sen. Arlen Specter, Congressman Patrick Murphy, State Sen. Robert “Tommy” Tomlinson and State Rep. Tony Melio.

This post describes the event, the project, and lists the currently slated contractors. As always, I apologize for any errors or misconceptions.

Event

This was an extremely well-orchestrated event. It started just shortly after the scheduled 10:00 a.m. While there were refreshments inside the station, the action took place in the parking lot outside, by the train tracks. A tattooed man in a black uniform (policeman? Security guard) was directing people as they came into the parking lot. A number of construction workers from Neshaminy Constructors, the general contractors for the project were standing by some trucks. These guys were great. A woman (later identified as Mary Fawkes) walked by with a cup and asked if there were a trash can handy. One of the NCI guys said he would take care of it. Later one of guys let me know my paper and pen had fallen out of my pocket. As the proceedings started they stood behind the dignitaries’ chairs, all at attention with hands clasped in front of them, an orange vested phalanx of muscle. One or two had the pale complexion of office workers but most of the guys looked like they worked outside. In any event, they were impressive.

Sen. Specter was already there when I arrived. He worked the crowd, shaking hands with everyone. While there may not be a spring in his step he moved in a purposeful manner and has a firm grip.

Festivities got underway and the speakers took their seats. In addition to those speaking, two county commissioners, Jim Cawley and Diane Marseglia were present, as was Mayor Fenton. Harry and Mary Fawkes were seated with the speakers and took part in the groundbreaking but did not speak. Harry Fawkes is the chairman of the Bucks County Republicans. There may have been other elected officials present but if so I missed them and offer my apologies. Remarks, while interesting and upbeat, were more formula than newsbreaking, so I had time for the tie check. Some of the numbers being thrown around didn’t match up but possibly I misunderstand what they represented or misheard.

A priest from St. Thomas Aquinas gave an invocation.

Jeff Knueppel of SEPTA, assistant general manager of the engineering, maintenance and construction division started things off. He was sporting a light blue paisley tie. He introduced Deon.

Pasquale “Pat” Deon, SEPTA board chairman said this was one of 32 stimulus projects. (I did not catch his tie).

Arlen Specter (blue geometric pattern tie) said it would take $8.5 million to develop the Croydon station. The stimulus package was a tough vote for him politically but putting people back to work is more important than politics. There is 6.9 billion going to public transit, 191 million to SEPTA.

Patrick Murphy (dark blue tie with white dots) acknowledged the efforts of Specter. Public transit helps us increase energy independence. Transportation is often the second highest household expense, after housing; use of public transit can cut those costs. The construction project will make the station safer, more efficient, and attractive. Among the improvements he listed were better lighting and bus shelters.

Tommy Tomlinson (light gold tie with small dots) mentioned the efforts of the Fawkes family, working with officials to get the money. The project will add 100 parking spaces and better water drainage.

Tony Melio (striped tie) also mentioned Fawkes, and called the project an investment in the future.

Then the officials and Mr. and Mrs. Fawkes held little shovels with red, white and blue bows on them, and scooped up small amounts of dirt from a pile set out for that purpose.

Project

The gentleman handing out press packs was kind enough to let me have one.

The R7 SEPTA train that goes through Croydon continues on to the Trenton transit station, with connecting service to New York City.

The station improvements include:
* Highway and traffic signal construction to realign Cedar Avenue and improve traffic flow
* Environmentally friendly underground stormwater detention system
* Continuous high level platforms
* Installation of platform canopies
* Platform passenger shelters with radiant heating
* Bus shelters
* Resulting facility will be fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
* Parking lot construction adding 135 spaces
* Privacy wall around outbound parking lot
* New lighting, signage, and communications systems
* Landscaping
* Elevated sidewalk under railroad bridge

The renovation will cost $12 million, with $8.5 million of that from stimulus funding. The estimated completion is summer, 2011.

From the press release:

The Croydon Station Revitalization Project is funded by a grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and is one of 32 SEPTA projects which will improve transportation in the area while invigoration the economy by creating local jobs.

The project will include the construction of new low and high-level platforms with climate-controlled passenger shelters, improved signage, lighting, revenue collection equipment, and new AV public address system. A new parking lot will also be constructed with new lighting systems and a privacy wall on the outbound lot for nearby area residents. Vibrant new landscaping which will surround the parking area and station has also been included in the project design.

In addition to improved and enhanced passenger amenities, the construction will address critical areas in the intermediate area to enable safer, less congested traffic near the station. The intersection of Cedar Avenue & Bristol Pike will be widened and new signals will be erected. Also, new concrete curbing, walkways and elevated sidewalks will be constructed and an improved storm detention system preventing excessive flooding and ponding in the area will be implemented.

I asked specifically if the parking area would be a water permeable surface. The answer is that the underground water storage tanks will recharge the ground water and that is being used in lieu of water permeable paving.

Contractors

A list of contractors was included in the press pack. Of the construction companies, 17% are disadvantaged business enterprises (dbe), of the electrical contractors, 9%. Neshaminy Constructors will be the general contractors for the project. I ran the company name through the open secrets database of federal campaign contributors. A few people associated with the company had made political donations in 2005 and 2006 but none since then and no contributions were listed to Specter or Murphy. I double checked donors with the same last name in Pennsylvania to see if donations were sent in by family members, and found nothing recent or to either Specter or Murphy. Spouses could have different last names but I didn’t see anything that gave me pause. Looks clean.

I did not look at individual reports for the state level officials, since this is federal money; but you are welcome to check further if you wish. Nor did I check all of the firms, just the general contractor; there were just too many of them so I went for the big fish.

The info below indicates the name of the firm, scope of work, location, and number of employees. Dbe firms have an asterisk.

Neshaminy Constructors / general contractor / Feasterville / 22
ABC Construction Company * / site work / Bensalem / 6
Armour & Sons Electric Inc / traffic signal work / Langhorne / 4
Brock Brothers * / demolition / Yeadon / 3
Bustleton Services / landscaping / Bensalem / 3
DeSilvio & Company, Inc * / rebar guardrail / Cedar Brook / 4
DEVO & Associates / coin meters / West Berlin / 2
DHC Construction * / site furniture bus shelters / Springfield / 2
E.P. Donnelly, Inc. / metal roof / Jamison / 4
Established Traffic Control * / M&P traffic signs / Sellersville / 2
Gracie Painting, LLC * / painting / Philadelphia / 3
Gilmore & Sons Welding / passenger shelter sign frames / Bristol 3
Glass Block of America / glass block / Medina / 2
JMS Visual Communication * / construction photographs / Vincentown / 2
MG Forge Construction Inc / steel piling / Wayne / 6
MV Contracting, Inc. * / Curb & Sidewalk / Colonia / 6
SJA Construction / paving / Marlton / 10
SIJ Hauling, LLC * / trucks for disposal of excess excavation materials / Colmar / 2
Traffic & Safety Signs / signage / Kennett Square / 4
Underwood Engineering Testing Co. Inc / Testing & Inspections Services / Bellmawr / 2

Nucero Electrical Construction Co Inc / electrical contractor / Philadelphia / 8
Hitech Services Inc * / audio, visual public address system / Upper Darby / 4