SEPTA Elwyn to Wawa Restoration Program

Middletown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania

As the construction manager, Michael Baker assisted with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Elwyn to Wawa Restoration Program. This $140 million project restored more than 3.5 miles of regional rail service to the growing area of Middletown Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, supporting recent activities and offering excellent opportunities for future transit-oriented development.

Michael Baker supported SEPTA throughout the project’s construction with a full field team, including a construction manager, project engineer, document control, material testing and field inspectors. As part of the SEPTA on-site team, Michael Baker worked with SEPTA and the contractors to drive project schedule and ensure proactive construction, quality work and safety.

The project was completed in two phases. Phase I construction services included work associated with the right-of-way and infrastructure and included the replacement of 3.5 miles of track bed and track, replacement of overhead catenary systems, including support structures, replacement of four bridges, rehabilitation or replacement of five culverts, a new pedestrian culvert, new stormwater management allocations, slope stabilization, retaining walls, and the widening of U.S. Route 1 and the station entrance area.

Phase II included all work associated with the new station complex and parking structure deck at the new Wawa Station, including the construction of a new station building, accessible station platform and canopy, bus shelter, station entrance, signals and bus loop, a 574-car parking deck, an intermodal connection and welfare and maintenance buildings. 

Michael Baker’s team along with the client, the contractors and the designer of record were able to successfully deliver this project after spending more than four years shepherding it to fruition. This project brought rail service back to the community after 35 years, and SEPTA service from Wawa Station is now a convenient way to travel for business or recreation.