Smoother ride on the way
South Philly commuters are finally getting a taste of state-of-the-art subway riding.
An ongoing renovation process has begun at the Oregon Avenue Broad Street Subway station. The $3.3-million project to install new escalators, tiling on the platform and stairs, among other improvements, will be completed by January 2006.
A new elevator also will be installed to make the station compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, officials said.
Even though SEPTA is operating at a multimillion-dollar deficit, the transit agency is able to pay for this project and others through its separate capital fund, explained SEPTA spokesperson Jim Whitaker.
"The new projects are being funded by SEPTA's capital fund -- money SEPTA gets from the city, state and federal governments," he said.
The Walnut-Locust subway station also is undergoing renovations. The $8.7-million project will include some of the same upgrades as the Oregon Avenue station, plus a new audio/visual system, additional lighting and four new elevators. The Walnut-Locust station will be completely renovated by August.
As for a talked-about extension of the Broad Street Subway to the former Navy Yard, Whitaker said the agency has no immediate plans.
"SEPTA has had discussions about it, but currently it has only been talk," he said.
One definite change will affect the 19th Street Route 17 bus line. The route will end at Pattison Avenue, and a new bus route will take over the rest of the line, Whitaker said. No date has been announced for the change.
--by Anthony Scafide
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