This is this time of year again when the Penn’s campus portion of Spruce Street gets closed to allow a smooth move-in for students.

On Tuesday, Aug. 22 and Wednesday, Aug. 23, Spruce Street will be closed to all traffic (including bicycles) from 34th to 38th Street, between 6:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 26, Spruce Street will be closed from 38th to 40th Street, between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

Septa buses will be rerouted around the closure (please check septa.org for specific bus routes and detour info). Penn Police will be on scene to assist with traffic detours.

The Philadelphia Street Department will begin work on the Chestnut Street Transportation Project on Monday, Aug. 7. The project includes several roadway enhancements to improve safety for all types of travel along Chestnut Street from 45th to 34th Streets, including the City’s first one-way parking protected bicycle lane.

Chestnut Street Transportation Project flyer (click to enlarge).

Chestnut Street is one of the busiest streets in the city with high volumes of pedestrian and motor vehicle traffic. From 2011 – 2015, 75 percent of the crashes on Chestnut Street happened between 45th and 34th Street, so the purpose of the project is to improve safety along this stretch for all modes for all transportation modes and pedestrians.  The project involves shortening the crossing distance for pedestrians walking, installing the one-way parking protected bicycle lane, and removing one motor vehicle travel lane, according to an announcement by the Streets Department.

Construction is expected to take about three weeks and there will be intermittent lane closures and parking restrictions for the duration of the project. Flaggers will be on hand to direct traffic and “No Parking” signs will be posted.  Continue Reading

It’s that time of the summer again. The 2017 Trolley Tunnel Blitz, SEPTA’s catchy name for the annual construction and maintenance project inside the trolley tunnel to Center City, will take place July 7 – 17, according to an announcement by SEPTA. During the Blitz, which will begin at 10 p.m. on Friday, July 7, SEPTA Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 will not operate in the tunnel, but will be diverted to 40th and Market Streets.

Passengers are advised to use the Market Frankford Line for traveling to Center City or board the train at 40th and Market where trolley service will begin and end during the Blitz.  Continue Reading

All SEPTA modes of transportation will operate on a Sunday schedule on Tuesday, July 4, but additional service will be added to subway and trolleys at night to accommodate those who are planning to watch the fireworks on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The following information may be helpful to West Philly residents:

Market-Frankford Line: A total of ten extra trains will be dispatched starting at 4:30 p.m. to provide service every five minutes. These extra trips will run until 12:30 a.m. to help customers get home after the event. Market-Frankford Line Night Owl buses will replace trains at 12:30 a.m. SEPTA’s 15th Street Station provides riders access to and from the Parkway festivities.

Trolleys: Additional trips will be added on Routes 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 after the fireworks.

More information can be found at septa.org.

Click here for more information about July 4th events and activities in the city (Independence Day Parade, Free Museum Day, Party on the Parkway and more).

Here’s a reminder that SEPTA fare increases will go into effect on Saturday, July 1, 2017, the start of the new fiscal year. Fares will increase across all modes of transportation and methods of payment.

SEPTA cash fare will go up to $2.50 from $2.25; single rides with a token/SEPTA Key Travel Wallet will increase to $2.00 from $1.80. Transfers will remain at $1. Here’s a summary of changes to some of the most widely used fare payment methods. The full details are available on the SEPTA website.

• Cash Fare/Quick Trip: Increase from $2.25 to $2.50
• Discounted single ride with SEPTA Key Travel Wallet/Token: From $1.80 to $2
• Disabled Fare: From $1 to $1.25
• Paratransit/Shared Ride: $4 to $4.25
• Weekly TransPass: From $24 to $25.50 (up to 56 trips for one customer)  Continue Reading

Proposed Route 49 (Click to enlarge).

On Thursday, the SEPTA Board approved the Fiscal Year 2018 Annual Service Plan, which includes the launch of some new bus routes in the city. The widely discussed Route 49 that would connect the city’s Fairmount and Brewerytown neighborhoods with Grays Ferry via University City hasn’t been approved for the new fiscal year, which begins July 1, 2017.

The new bus service, which was part of the initial plan, has been deferred for further study and analysis after a series of open houses and public meetings held since March 2016.

The proposed route made many West Philly residents excited as it would also create a direct transit option between 30th Street Station and the attractions located along the Ben Franklin Parkway.  Continue Reading