SEPTA Stimulus Projects in Montco

From the inbox:

SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey, Pennsylvania State Senator Stewart Greenleaf, and Pennsylvania State Representative Kate Harper, joined with local government and community leaders at North Wales Regional Rail station to announce the start of extensive two-year federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) projects.

Over $17.4 million in federal ARRA funds has been earmarked for the revitalization of 13 Montgomery County SEPTA locations and facilities to include:

 Lansdale (R5) Substation roof replacement
 Glenside Station improvements - The existing station building and canopy will be replaced and painted. A new outbound platform will be constructed complete with new signage, lighting and additional passenger amenities.
 Philmont (R3) Station Rehabilitation – An ADA accessible path between the inbound and outbound platforms will be constructed. Repairs will be made to the exterior facades and the inbound side will be enhanced to provide greater accessibility.
 Bridge 13.04 - This span extending over North Hills Avenue will receive concrete, wall, and waterproofing repairs.
 Bridge 18.87 – This span extending over Penllyn Pike will receive concrete, wall, and waterproofing repairs.
 Bridge 20.25 - Crews will work to replace the aging superstructure over Wissahickon Creek and perform additional repairs.
 Bridge 12.81 - Supporting pedestals were recently repaired on this span over the Schuylkill River. Work included ‘wrapping’ the base with a protective stone layering to help prevent future erosion.
 Bridge 8.38 - Repairs will be made on the girders of the span near Melrose Park Station and new waterproofing installed.
 Gwynedd Cut Stabilization Project – Storm water and erosion controls will be installed and rock /slope stabilization work will be performed to improve safety and service efficiency
 Paoli/Thorndale (R5) Signage Project – This will provide new standardized signage at 17 SEPTA Regional Rail Stations including Merion, Narberth, Wynnwood, Haverford, Bryn Mawr, and Rosemont in Montgomery County.
 Norristown High Speed Line Fiber Optic Cable Project – Fiber optic cable will be installed along the line permitting the future installation of Audio Visual Public Address devices at all passenger stations and improve power substation control.
 Norristown Substation Renewal Project – The work includes the overhaul of the Norristown Traction Power Substations. New transformers, trolley breaker substation switchgear, and protective relaying will be installed.

The ceremony also served as the ground breaking for the nearly $700,000
North Wales Station Renovation Project which will renew the existing 150 year-old station and original hub of the old North Penn Railroad. Improvements include:

 Restoration of existing brick work and interior elements
 New roof
 Energy efficient heating and cooling systems
 New energy efficient lighting and windows

Recently, SEPTA constructed new passenger shelters, new signage, and high-level platforms with ramps at the station.

Upon completion of the construction in the summer of 2010, the station will be fully-compliant with ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements. During the construction the station will remain open and there will be minimal impact to normal train service.

It is estimated that over 300 area workers will be hired to help complete these 13 Montgomery County projects. In total, thirty-two SEPTA federally funded ARRA projects are scheduled to improve transportation in the area while invigorating the economy by creating local jobs.

For additional information on ARRA funded projects, visit www.septa.org/business/stimulus/projects. For service information, contact the SEPTA Customer Service at (215) 580-7800 or access the SEPTA web site at www.septa.org.