A two-block portion of Spruce Street will be closed or restricted to vehicular traffic beginning Monday, March 18 to accommodate trolley track renewal work, according to an announcement by SEPTA. The project includes the excavation and renewal of the existing corroded and broken rail on Spruce Street between 40th Street and 42nd Street. The intersections at 40th and Spruce and 42nd and Spruce will not be impacted by this work.

Posted traffic detours will be erected and maintained around the work area in progress.

Normal construction hours will be Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or sometimes later. Occasional weekend work may also be needed to maintain the project’s timeline.

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SEPTA is expected to receive $317,160,000 in infrastructure funding to purchase approximately 200 new rail cars on the Market-Frankford Line, according to a recent joint announcement by U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and John Fetterman (D-PA), U.S. Representatives Brendan Boyle (D-PA-2), Dwight Evans (D-PA-3), and Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-5), and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker.

The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Rail Vehicle Replacement Program, created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Pennsylvania delegation in Congress has consistently fought for federal funding for SEPTA to improve accessibility, promote sustainability and reduce emissions. This investment is thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act.

“A few weeks ago, I led a letter to the Department of Transportation on the urgent need to support SEPTA. Today, I am thrilled to join with my colleagues and announce DOT’s $317 million investment to support new cars on the Market-Frankford Line,” Fetterman said.

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A “traffic calming” proposal to be considered at a city meeting at Saint Francis de Sales Church on Wednesday includes the option to convert 47th Street into a one-way street.

The City’s Office of Transportation, Infrastructure and Sustainability (OTIS), in cooperation with Councilmember Jamie Gauthier’s Office, have been working with community leaders on traffic calming solutions for 47th and 48th Streets for the last couple of years.

This Wednesday, Feb. 7, the City is hosting an open house meeting where neighborhood residents have a chance to learn more about recommended new designs for 47th and 48th streets between Market Street and Kingsessing Avenue. The meeting will also discuss next steps for 47th Street south of Kingsessing Avenue.

Two new street layout options are being proposed:

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PECO is continuing utility improvement work on 38th Street between Spruce St. and Woodland Ave., which began earlier this month. Starting today (Jan. 29) and for the next three weeks, PECO crews will be working in the intersection area of 38th and Spruce Streets.

Due to utility construction, lane reductions and intermittent closures are expected in this area during the following dates and times:

Week 1: Jan. 29 to Feb. 5 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Week 2: Feb. 5 to Feb. 11 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Week 3: Feb. 12 to Feb. 18 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through or near the work areas. All scheduled activities are weather dependent.

A bridge construction on South 34th Street in Southwest Philadelphia is expected to begin January 3, according to a recent announcement by PennDOT. The project aims to replace the deteriorating 34th Street bridge over a former CSX rail line and future Schuylkill River Trail.

During the construction period, 34th Street will be reduced to a single lane in each direction between Grays Ferry Avenue and the ramp from I-76 East to Grays Ferry Avenue/University Avenue. Motorists are advised to allow extra time when traveling through the work area because backups and delays may occur.

The bridge construction is expected to continue through October 31, 2024.

Information on PennDOT’s planned and active construction projects is available at www.projects.penndot.gov.

If you’re planning to use SEPTA during the holidays, please make sure to check modified schedules for Metro, bus and regional rail services.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

On Christmas Eve, Metro (SEPTA’s new name for the Market-Frankford, Broad Street and Norristown High Speed lines, and trolleys), buses and regional rail operate on a Sunday schedule.

On Christmas Day, Metro and bus routes will also operate on a Sunday schedule. The following bus routes are not operating on Christmas Day: 204, 310, 311 and LUCY.

All Regional Rail lines will run on special Christmas schedules with reduced Sunday service.

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