METRO services on Philadelphia’s Market - Frankford line began using Septa’s new Frankford Transportation Center on August 4, following completion of a nine-day blockade to realign the elevated approaches. Due to be completed in 2005 at a cost of $187m, the bus/rail/light rail interchange forms part of a $650m reconstruction of the entire 8·5 km elevated section north of Girard Avenue which began in 1986.
The line’s 80-year old terminus at Bridge Street was closed on July 25, allowing contractors to demolish the last 400m of the elevated line and connect up the concrete viaduct leading into the new terminal. The disabled-accessible terminal incorporates retail units, an information centre and transit police station, and will have a four-level, 1 000-space car park for park-and-ride traffic. The old building will be restored to its 1922 condition and connected to the FTC by a walkway.
