Amtrak Making Major Imporvements to Philadelphia 30th Street Station

$35 million investment to upgrade West Plaza, facade and elevators

PHILADELPHIA Amtrak will continue work this summer and fall on several upgrades at Philadelphia 30th Street Station to improve the passenger experience, tend to the long-term infrastructure needs of the nearly 100 year-old building and improve pedestrian mobility in and around the facility. The projects represent about a $35 million investment.

30th Street Station is an iconic fixture in Philadelphia, said Stephen Gardner, Amtrak vice president of Northeast Corridor infrastructure and investment development. As stewards of this national historic landmark we are committed to maintaining its status as a first-class facility for passengers and further integrating the station into the vital University City neighbourhood.

Passengers should expect to see evidence of these construction projects in and around the main concourse and pedestrian areas of the station in the coming months. Some entrances to the building will be temporarily closed and services relocated throughout the construction period,with appropriate signage indicating alternate points of access. There will be no disruption or alteration to train service as a result of the construction.

Listed below are summaries of the major initiatives Amtrak is undertaking as components of the station renovation project:

West Plaza Renovation

Since Fall 2012, crews have been working on a $30 million Amtrak-funded reconstruction project along the west side of 30th Street Station that features a redesigned pedestrian plaza and reinforced basement structure. The new plaza, scheduled for completion by Thanksgiving, will improve vehicle traffic and pedestrian flow around the station, enhance lighting for better security and visibility, provide safer walking and driving conditions and expand public parking. Below-ground work on the parking deck and basement will continue through 2014 to fortify the infrastructure and improve parking conditions.

Facade Restoration

Amtrak begins Phase I of a multi-million dollar restoration of the exterior facade of 30thStreet Station with installation of a temporary sidewalk canopy system that will be erected around the sides of the building. The canopy will keep pedestrians safe and provide a weatherproof area under which to access the station while funding for Phase II (the remainder of the facade restoration)is identified. Construction of the canopy will begin this month and be paid for with approximately $2 million of Amtrak funds. 

Elevator Replacement

Passenger elevators that connect the train platforms with the main concourse will be replaced, along with elevators that service the employee office towers in the upper floors of the building. Some equipment, dating to the 1930s, is beyond the scope of repair and needs to be replaced. This is a $3 million Amtrak-funded project with work scheduled to begin this fall. 30th Street Station is the third busiest station in the Amtrak system and served more than four million passengers in FY 2012, with connections to SEPTA and New Jersey Transit commuter rail services and other local transportation options.

For more info on the station Imporvements go to Amtrak Website