SEPTA has announced an intense, concentrated "Trolley Tunnel Blitz" beginning Aug. 1, 2014 and continuing through early Aug. 18, in an "around-the-clock" endeavor to upgrade and improve infrastructure. Service will be discontinued for the duration of the project.
'Given that the Trolley Tunnel is a 5+ mile long, single track line, the length of our regular service day, and the number of Trolley routes operating through the tunnel it would take many months of night and weekend outages, spread out over the year, to complete the amount of work we have planned during this Blitz," SEPTA said in a statement released on its website.
"An extended work window, during a traditionally low ridership period, makes it possible for our Track, Power, Communications and Signals, and Bridges and Buildings Maintenance Departments to efficiently complete important construction and maintenance projects that will benefit our customers," SEPTA said.
What you need to know about service during Trolley Tunnel Blitz
During the 17-day tunnel shutdown, Trolley Routes 10, 11, 13, 34, & 36 will temporarily divert to 40th and Market streets, SEPTA said. "Customers may transfer at 40th Street to the Market-Frankford Line for service to and from Center City.
Signs will be placed at Trolley Stations and surrounding areas and customer brochures will be made available to assist you with boarding and service information."
Upgrades include new welded trolley rail, track switches, emergency lighting cables, and overhead wire. A "massive cleanup program" of trolley stations also will occur.
SEPTA said the project is funding by the "passage of the Act 89 dedicated funding bill by Harrisburg, [which] provides the resources needed for SEPTA to begin Rebuilding for the Future. The Trolley Tunnel Blitz is part of a comprehensive infrastructure and revitalization program that tackles a $5 billion backlog of projects, including bridge replacements, substation, overhauls, and station improvements."