SEPTA – RailWorks and Market Street Elevated Reconstruction Programs

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Michael Baker provided program management support and construction management and inspection services for the reconstruction of two Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) improvement programs: Market Street Elevated and RailWorks Mainline.

Constructed in 1907, the Market Street Elevated carries the "Blue Line" of the elevated and subway system, which runs from the city center through West Philadelphia to the western suburbs and carries approximately 178,000 commuters per day during the week. The reconstruction consisted of the total replacement of the aging elevated structure down the center of Market Street, more than two miles. The work also included the replacement of six outdated passenger stations on the elevated structure, with new, free-standing station buildings adjacent and connected to the new elevated structure that are fully compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

Michael Baker also was instrumental in SEPTA’s RailWorks Mainline Improvement Program that involved the complete reconstruction of 4.5 miles of SEPTA's four-track, elevated commuter rail corridor in North Philadelphia. Our team focused on the bridge rehabilitations, civil construction, and associated rail and catenary structure work, and included the replacement or rehabilitation of 25 street crossing bridges, replacement of all electrical and track components at interlockings; replacement of track with eight miles of new, continuous-welded rail, ties and ballast; complete construction of a new station at Temple University; replacement of four miles of overhead catenary wire and rehabilitation of catenary structures and installation of more than 10 miles of new signal cables to link trains with control centers at Wayne Junction and Market East.