Wissahickon Transportation Center

The previous customer waiting shelter (far left) will be replaced by a larger, more modern one.

This past summer, work crews embarked on a $1 million project to upgrade the infrastructure, operational, and customer amenities at the Wissahickon Transportation Center (WTC).  An important SEPTA transit hub, eleven bus routes (1, 9, 27, 32, 38, 61, 62, 65, 124, 125 and R), totaling about 140 buses a day, carry customers to and from destination in Center City, Northwest Philadelphia, Northeast Philadelphia, and King of Prussia.

Once a trolley electric substation, SEPTA developed an upgrade program for this site located at the edge of Kelly Drive in Philadelphia.  The purpose of the project was to reconfigure and renovate the existing Wissahickon facility to create a larger shelter to protect SEPTA patrons from the elements; improve bus flow; and create better vehicle traffic flow along Ridge Avenue. To help improve bus operations within the site, all of the internal circulation roadway was milled and repaved.  New curbing and driveway cuts were constructed to ease bus access into and out of the facility, and the repaved sections were repainted to clearly identify traffic flow around the facility and parking for buses and other Authority vehicles.  In an effort to maintain as normal a service schedule as possible, all SEPTA bus routes at WTC were temporarily rerouted to a facility one mile away – known as the Rivage – during this the nine day work period.  Inside WTC, new, brighter lighting was installed and groundwork landscaping was planted.
One of the highlights of the project was the installation of a brand new traffic signal system to alleviate bus and private vehicle traffic congestion created when vehicles on the street waiting for the light to change, blocked buses from entering or exiting WTC.  The system designed and installed now allows buses to enter and exit WTC with less interference from regular traffic on Ridge Avenue; and now an additional traffic light and relocated traffic stop points prevent stopped vehicles from blocking the bus driveway.  In addition a new ADA compliant pedestrian control system gives improved signals to enable customers to safely cross Ridge Avenue.

Within the next several weeks, construction is scheduled to be completed on the brand new, customer waiting shelter.  Designed with the standard roof and glass tile design SEPTA customers are familiar with at outdoor transit hubs, the size of the WTC shelter has been increased and lighting added for greater rider comfort.  The site also features new signage and is fully ADA accessible.

New vs. Old:  A view of the old Wissahickon Transfer Center (left) before work crews began the rehabilitation to turn it into Wissahickon Transportation Center (right).

Construction projects always bring dirt and disruption to the regular course of business while work takes place, but SEPTA hopes that riders using the new Wissahickon Transportation Center will find this revitalized facility will improve their travel experience as they use the SEPTA system.