SEPTA gears up for trolley track renewal

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) next week will kick off a track renewal project on a portion of its Route 15 trolley line.

Scheduled to begin June 18, the work will take place on Girard Avenue between Broad Street and Corinthian Avenue in North Philadelphia. Crews will excavate and replace  4,100 track feet and repave the track area.

Encased in an insulated rubber boot, the new track will lead to reduced sound and vibration, SEPTA officials said in a press release. In addition, the improved track components will make for a smoother ride.

Most of the track in the area was last replaced in the 1950s, according to SEPTA.

To accommodate the work, buses will replace trolleys along the entire Route 15 from June 18 through September 17.