The crumbling ceilings, missing tiles and leaning platform are just a few signs of the disrepair at SEPTA’s 130-year-old Wayne Junction Station. Fortunately for the historic Nicetown station, one of SEPTA’s busiest Regional Rail stops, a significant makeover is on the way.
Officials from SEPTA and the Federal Transit Administration joined Congressman Chaka Fattah and state Sen. Shirley Kitchen yesterday to announce that a $4 million federal grant will finalize funding for the $33.5 million renovation project. The station, which dates back to 1881 and was last rebuilt in 1901, will receive new elevators to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, new platforms, lighting and other amenities.
Construction is scheduled to start in the fall and take about three years, but officials said no service disruptions are expected.
FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff said that government must make sure public transit is a viable option for commuters, especially in light of soaring gas prices.
“We can’t lose sight of the transit infrastructure we’ve got and just get excited about the next new system,” Rogoff said.
Community members have long been concerned about safety and access at the station, which serves more than 190,000 riders annually via five Regional Rail lines, a trackless trolley and two bus routes. They say the renovation will be a catalyst for other private development.
