USA: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority opened an extension of Philadelphia’s Media/Wawa Regional Rail Line from Elwyn to Wawa on August 21. SEPTA trains last served the area in September 1986, and the opening marks the first extension of its rail services since the Airport Line in 1985.
‘We are thrilled to be bringing rail service back to this community after 35 years’, said SEPTA General Manager & CEO Leslie S Richards after a ribbon cutting ceremony on August 18. ‘SEPTA service from Wawa station is the convenient way to travel for those returning to offices or visiting the region for recreation and entertainment.’
The long-planned project was financed through the Pennsylvania Act 89 transport funding law passed in November 2013.
It included renewing 5·6 km of track, replacing four bridges and overhead electrification equipment, earthwork stabilisation and the installation of Positive Train Control.
Wawa station has 600 car parking spaces and connections to SEPTA Bus Routes 111 and 114, and meets ADA accessibility standards. The building and tunnel feature artwork showing the history of transporting milk from the local Wawa dairy farm which developed into a convenience shop chain of the same name.
‘Wawa the area, Wawa the station and Wawa the company have a linked history that goes back over 100 years’, said Chester Heights Borough Mayor Ginamarie Ellis.
