SEPTA Nears Completion of Center City Trolley Tunnel Repairs, Eyes Mid-January Reopening
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has made significant progress in repairing the trolley tunnel in Center City, with officials indicating a mid-January reopening is now within reach. The five-mile stretch under Market Street was closed in November for necessary overhead wire repairs and has been subject to various delays and setbacks since then.
According to SEPTA's media relations director, Andrew Busch, test runs have commenced and will continue throughout the week to ensure a safe resumption of service. While no specific target date has yet been set, Busch expressed optimism about the testing process, stating that "we've seen some progress" in these tests.
The tunnel closure resulted from an attempt by SEPTA workers to reduce maintenance costs by replacing standard three-inch sliders with four-inch pieces on October's mass train evacuations. However, this upgrade damaged the overhead infrastructure, prompting further repairs and a second shutdown of the tunnel. Following its reopening on November 13, additional issues led to another closure.
It is worth noting that the ongoing repairs are unrelated to SEPTA's annual summer maintenance blitz or recent weather-related incidents in Delaware County. The transit authority has continued to offer shuttle bus service along Market Street during the closure and has also provided supplemental services on two Delaware County trolley lines since December due to inclement weather.
SEPTA officials expect to provide further updates on the tunnel's status as testing continues, but a mid-January reopening remains their current target.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has made significant progress in repairing the trolley tunnel in Center City, with officials indicating a mid-January reopening is now within reach. The five-mile stretch under Market Street was closed in November for necessary overhead wire repairs and has been subject to various delays and setbacks since then.
According to SEPTA's media relations director, Andrew Busch, test runs have commenced and will continue throughout the week to ensure a safe resumption of service. While no specific target date has yet been set, Busch expressed optimism about the testing process, stating that "we've seen some progress" in these tests.
The tunnel closure resulted from an attempt by SEPTA workers to reduce maintenance costs by replacing standard three-inch sliders with four-inch pieces on October's mass train evacuations. However, this upgrade damaged the overhead infrastructure, prompting further repairs and a second shutdown of the tunnel. Following its reopening on November 13, additional issues led to another closure.
It is worth noting that the ongoing repairs are unrelated to SEPTA's annual summer maintenance blitz or recent weather-related incidents in Delaware County. The transit authority has continued to offer shuttle bus service along Market Street during the closure and has also provided supplemental services on two Delaware County trolley lines since December due to inclement weather.
SEPTA officials expect to provide further updates on the tunnel's status as testing continues, but a mid-January reopening remains their current target.
! Been stuck in traffic 'cause of it and now we can finally get back to our normal commute routine 
.
. I mean, who wants to spend New Year's Eve stuck in traffic or walking on the sidewalk instead of enjoying the celebration with friends and family? Not me, that's for sure 
. On a more serious note, it's great to see SEPTA taking the time to do things right, even if it means pushing back the reopening date. At least they're being upfront about it and not trying to rush into anything that might compromise safety. Fingers crossed we'll be back on track in mid-January! 
! i'm literally so done with all the delays and shutdowns 
. i mean, can you blame them tho? trying to save money by upgrading those sliders 
. i've been using those shuttle buses instead of taking the trolley, and let me tell you, it's been a game changer 
. septa is doing their best to get things back on track 
. Hoping everything goes smoothly from now on! 
. Glad they're making progress on it tho. I mean, who needs that much maintenance? SEPTA's gonna save some $$$ by replacing those sliders, right? 
Well, not this time. Hopefully they get it done before the Eagles game in Jan so I can actually make my way to the Linc without sweating bullets 
. I mean, it's been out of commission for ages and I was starting to think they'd never get it done 
. Ugh, this tunnel thing is just soooo complicated