SEPTA starts overhaul of Broad Street stations

SEPTA began work today on its biggest stimulus project, a $25 million remake of two stations on the Broad Street subway line.

Local politicians and SEPTA officials gathered for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the Spring Garden station, which, along with the Girard station, will get elevators, new stairs, new lights, new tiles, rebuilt columns, and new safety and communications systems.

The remodeling of the 81-year-old stations is to take two years, but service for the 10,000 daily riders at the two stations will not be interrupted, SEPTA officials said.

The project is the most expensive of 32 SEPTA projects being paid for with $191 million in federal stimulus funds. The subway station rehab will create about 200 jobs, including 100 in construction and 100 in supply and contractor work.

City officials hope the subway renovations will help buoy efforts to improve the neighborhood. The two stations are on a stretch of North Broad Street near Philadelphia Community College and the State Office Building, which is slated to be converted to apartments and retail shops.

"This is where we start our economic rebound," said U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D., Phila.). Fattah, whose district includes the North Broad neighborhood, was one of a half-dozen political and transit officials who used ceremonial shovels to turn a boxful of dirt for the gathered cameras.

SEPTA General Manager Joseph Casey said the transit agency "hopes to revitalize this neighborhood . . . and provide amenities" that will help its restoration.

The two stations were part of the original Broad Street subway line opened in 1928 from Olney to City Hall. That original construction took four years and cost about $320 million.

SEPTA has gradually been remodeling the outdated Broad Street stations for years. The biggest and busiest station, beneath City Hall, is still waiting its turn. SEPTA plans to spend about $72 million to upgrade that station, and the adjacent 15th Street station on the Market-Frankford line, over the next four years.

Contact staff writer Paul Nussbaum at 215-854-4587 or pnussbaum@phillynews.com.