Click to enlarge. The PDF version of the map is available here.

SEPTA has recently announced that its annual Trolley Tunnel Maintenance “Blitz,” during which trolleys do not operate in the tunnel, is scheduled to begin on Friday, July 12, at 10 p.m. This project is an opportunity for SEPTA crews to replace worn tracks and overhead contact wires in the tunnel and perform some necessary cleaning.

Here’s how the trolleys will operate during the Blitz, which will take place from July 12 through July 29 (see the map):

Route 10 [T1], Route 34 [T2], Route 13 [T3], Route 11 [T4] and Route 36 [T5] are suspended between 13th Street and 40th Street Portal until 6 a.m., July 29. Subway-Surface Trolleys [T] pick up and drop off riders at any bus stop along the diversion routes.

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SEPTA recently opened a newly renovated 30th Street Station, which has been renamed “Drexel Station at 30th Street.” The transformed station has a doubled capacity and features more seamless transportation connections. The station is served by the Market-Frankford Line (now identified by the letter “L” in signage), five Trolley lines (“T”), the LUCY Loop, and Bus Routes 9, 30, 31, 44, 78, 124, 125, and is across the street from Amtrak’s 30th Street Station.

Drexel Station at 30th Street is part of the Schuylkill Yards development, a multi-phase project by Brandywine Realty Trust. Extensive renovations were completed as part of the station reconstruction project to better integrate the station into Drexel Square and the broader Schuylkill Yards district.

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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.