PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Center City SEPTA trolley tunnel is closing for its annual two-week maintenance blitz, starting at 10 p.m. Friday.
This is the 10th consecutive summer that SEPTA has shut the trolley tunnel to do uninterrupted construction and maintenance work on the 2 ½-mile tunnel between 40th Street and City Hall.
This year, that includes tearing down and rebuilding the 22nd Street platform, replacing worn track, maintaining signals, putting in new overhead wires, and cleaning drainage pipes and graffiti.
"We're able to accomplish work on everything from heavy infrastructure like track replacements and pouring concrete at the 22nd Street station, all the way to deep cleaning and painting," said SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch.
During the work, trolley riders on five routes — 10, 11, 13, 34 and 36 — will have to use the Market-Frankford Line east of 40th Street.
Crews working on repairs to the Center City SEPTA trolley tunnel.SEPTA
"They can still ride the trolleys through the neighborhoods in West Philadelphia and Southwest Philadelphia," said Busch. "Where it changes is when they get to 40th Street."
The $1.7 million construction blitz is scheduled during the summer when it would have the least effect on ridership, Busch said.
The tunnel is expected to reopen with normal trolley service at 5 a.m. on July 25.
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