PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — SEPTA plans to erect more substantial fencing in the concourse under City Hall, by replacing chain link fencing in the South Broad concourse between 13th and 15th streets with steel panels and gates.
SEPTA has had chain link fencing up in the South Broad concourse since the pandemic. Spokesman Andrew Busch says the transit agency determined the subway concourse near City Hall, and one at 8th and Market streets, required a more secure structure.
“We did a full evaluation of the concourse and identified these locations where we thought it was appropriate to add gating,” said Busch. “It’s not limiting service or taking away any part of the concourse that is not currently closed off. We’re just trying to make it more secure.”
He says SEPTA maintains the South Broad concourse under an agreement with the city and that more secure gates would allow maintenance crews to do overnight work without disruption. The gates would close overnight when the Market-Frankford Line isn’t running, to discourage people experiencing homelessness from disrupting cleaning operations.
“It gives them security that there’s not going to be anybody coming into the concourse when they’re down there cleaning,” he said. “It’s not safe for anyone if the concourse area or our stations are being used as a shelter.”
The SEPTA board will vote Thursday on a $795,000 contract to acquire the gates, which would be delivered by September.