SEPTA stimulus is in hand
Friday, May 22nd, 2009
By: Elizabeth Fiedler
efiedler@whyy.org
Federal stimulus dollars are rolling into the Philadelphia area's transportation network. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, is preparing to spend two federal stimulus grants of almost $130 million for capital, rail and station improvements.
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SEPTA plans to install a computerized signal system to control the trolley lines running from West Philadelphia to Center City. Also planned are renovations at Broad Street subway stations at Girard Avenue and Spring Garden, and 40 new hybrid buses.
The stimulus money will also pay to upgrade the tracks for two Delaware County trolley lines.
Matthew Mitchell of the Delaware Valley Association of Rail Passengers, says the money is going towards things his group has supported for a while.
Mitchell: These stimulus dollars are going to be spent on a variety of projects most of which are upgrades and rebuilding of SEPTA infrastructure that has been on the plans for a number of years. And these funds will let SEPTA do these projects sooner rather than later.
A SEPTA spokesperson says the projects should be started in the next two months.