SEPTA's El Is Crumbling, Needs Repairs

Philly's elevated train needs $20M in repairs

Updated 10:30 AM EST, Fri, Sep 18, 2009

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Vincent J. Brown, Flickr

The Frankford elevated train line in Philadelphia was rebuilt in the 1980s and 1990s to last for 75 years, but that's not the case.

The El needs major repairs because of a basic flaw in its reconstruction design, according to a report on Philly.com.

Repairs could cost $20 million or more, SEPTA said.

The Problem is caused by temperature.

The elevated blue line was rebuilt in a way that does not allow its deck to adequately expand and contract with temperature changes, SEPTA engineers said. The result is crumbling concrete.

SEPTA crews have installed 8,000 metal mesh belts on the underbelly of the elevated to prevent concrete from falling onto cars or pedestrians.

SEPTA is suing the two engineering companies who oversaw the reconstruction plans for the repair costs.

Copyright Associated Press / NBC Philadelphia

First Published: Sep 18, 2009 9:25 AM EST

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0 Comments

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