The renovation of Allen Lane train station is almost over

Officials with SEPTA say the multi-million dollar renovation of Allen Lane train station should be complete by the end of this month.

Spokesman Andrew Busch said only finishing touches remain at the regional rail stop, including installing guardrails and light fixtures and touching up the paintwork.

“The substantial work is done and we’ll go through the punch list in January,” said Busch of the $6.9 million federally funded project along the Chestnut Hill West Line.

That review, said Busch, will ensure that every element of the project from major construction items on down was completed as planned.

Some of the items sure to be on that list will be the station’s new “high-level” platforms, pedestrian bridge, outdoor shelters and wheelchair accessible ramps.

Busch doesn’t have a hard date for the station’s completion, but said the work will finish up by the end of the project’s original 18-22 month timeline.

“We’re looking forward to completing it and celebrating with the community,” said Busch, who acknowledged that the project’s start date was delayed.

The lead construction company on the project  filed a lawsuit against SEPTA in mid-December that claims on-site delays caused the firm to do extra work at its own expense.

Nearby neighbors will likely be among the most relieved when the work is finished. Much of the major construction was done during the early morning hours when trains weren’t running.

But Steve Stroiman, who lives just up the street from the station, is also pleasantly surprised that the project got off the ground and was completed during a down economy.

“The fact that it’s happened, the fact that it’s going to conclude, the fact that we will have a much improved service facility is amazing,” said Stroiman.

Busch said a small party will be held sometime in the spring to celebrate the station upgrade.