The Hub 8/18/2023: Clean Air Council’s Weekly Round-up of Transportation News
“The Hub” is a weekly round-up of transportation related news in the Philadelphia area and beyond. Check back weekly to keep up-to-date on the issues Clean Air Council’s transportation staff finds important.
Feet First Philly launched the 4th round of their Public Space Enhancement Mini-grant Program. Applications open now through October 9th.
BillyPenn: SEPTA and Amtrak are reconnecting their train stations at 30th Street – As a part of a federally funded renovation, SEPTA and Amtrak have identified plans to restore a connecting tunnel at 30th Street station. This connecting tunnel will prevent commuters from having to go above ground to connect to Amtrak from a SEPTA train. Between 1934 and 1981 there was a connection between Amtrak and SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line 30th Street Stations, but the connecting tunnel was shut down due to concerns around ‘storm leakage, inadequate lighting, and fire hazards.’ This reconnection will make the stations more accessible.
The Inquirer: Six of Philly’s antique trolleys will return to Girard Ave. next month after three years and $1.5 million in restoration – On September 10, six of Philadelphia’s antique trolley cars will return to Girard Ave, on the Route 15 tracks. These antique trolleys have a cream-and-green color scheme. For the past three years SEPTA’s crew has been working to restore 18 of these antique trolleys and six have been completely rehabbed for approximately $250,000 each. SEPTA will continue to work on the remaining 12 trolley cars.
WHYY: Seeing red: More red bus lanes coming to Philly streets after initial success – SEPTA’s buses have been traveling faster through crowded city streets largely due to painted bus lanes. During an 18-month-long pilot program SEPTA has seen a 15% speed increase for buses along JFK Boulevard between 15th and 19th Streets and a 7% increase for buses on Market Street between 20th and 15th Streets, in comparison to before the red painted bus only lanes were installed. Other parts of the city without painted bus-only lanes have seen a 4% decrease in bus travel speed. Six more painted bus-only lanes will be added to the city with a concentration in North Philly as part of the Broad, Germantown and Erie project.
Other Stories
Next City: When It Comes To Transportation Problems, All Roads Lead Back To Cars
SmartCitiesDive: Federal infrastructure investments buoy engineering and construction firms
The Inquirer: Federal transit agency: ‘SEPTA has not taken effective actions’ following string of bus and trolley crashes
StreetsblogUSA: How to Take a Freeway Fight to the Next Level
The Inquirer: SEPTA drivers are increasingly victim to abuse and assaults. Some say the agency isn’t doing enough to protect them
