SEPTA has officially unveiled the completed 40th Street Station Improvement Project, marking a significant step forward in accessibility and modernization for this vital transit hub. The project culminates in the installation of two new elevators, directly connecting street level access to the Market-Frankford Line subway platform. This upgrade promises to dramatically improve the commuting experience for all riders, particularly those with disabilities, parents with strollers, and travelers with luggage.
SEPTA General Manager Jeffrey D. Knueppel highlighted the importance of the project, stating, “I am extremely proud of the work we’ve done here. Thousands of SEPTA customers utilize 40th Street Station along our Market-Frankford Line, a crucial link to the expanding residential, educational, and medical institutions in University City. These new elevators ensure full ADA accessibility for every rider at this essential station.”
Located on the bustling Market-Frankford Line, 40th Street Station serves approximately 7,000 of the line’s 187,000 daily riders. It also acts as a key interchange for SEPTA Bus Routes 30 and 40, further solidifying its role as a central point in Philadelphia’s public transportation network.
The $9.23 million investment in the 40th Street Station encompasses a range of crucial upgrades beyond elevator installation:
- ADA-Compliant Elevators: Strategically positioned at the northeast and southwest corners of 40th and Market Streets, the two new elevators are fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, ensuring seamless access for all.
- Enhanced Wayfinding and Station Infrastructure: The project includes updated station and pedestrian signage, along with improvements to doors, gates, and employee facilities, making navigation within the station clearer and more efficient.
- Architectural and Structural Modernization: Riders will appreciate the refreshed aesthetic of the station, featuring new tile work, structural and concrete repairs, painting, and updated flooring and ceiling systems.
- New Stair and Elevator Headhouses: The entrances to the elevators and stairs have been rebuilt with modern headhouses, integrating functional design with artistic elements.
A distinctive feature of the renovated 40th Street Station is the incorporation of public art into the new headhouses. Part of SEPTA’s Art in Transit Program, the artwork, titled “Nexus,” was developed with community input. Created by artists Marianne Lovink and Scott Eunson, “Nexus” features vibrant patterns on each of the four headhouses, depicting the Philadelphia street grid and highlighting the station’s location at 40th and Market Streets. The artists designed these colorful patterns to represent Philadelphia’s interconnectedness, the flow of its waterways, green spaces, and the digital networks that connect its residents. SEPTA’s Art in Transit Program aims to enrich the rider experience by embedding artistic elements within station renovations and infrastructure projects.
The funding for the 40th Street Station improvements was made possible through Act 89, Pennsylvania’s comprehensive transportation funding law enacted in 2013. This legislation provides dedicated, long-term funding for essential transportation upgrades across the state. SEPTA is actively utilizing Act 89 funds for various projects aimed at bringing the entire transit system into a state of good repair.
The completion of the 40th Street Station Improvement Project marks a significant enhancement to Philadelphia’s public transportation system. By prioritizing accessibility and integrating public art, SEPTA demonstrates its commitment to improving the rider experience and fostering community engagement within its transit infrastructure. For further details about SEPTA and its ongoing initiatives, please visit www.septa.org.
