AF1 Construction Notes: Winter 2018-19

What is happening now on Richmond Street?

• Installation of electrical duct bank for powering the SEPTA Route 15 Trolley proceeding south-to-north until spring.
• The new SEPTA Westmoreland Loop terminal is under construction.

What else will be done on Richmond Street project?

• Melvale Street (between Richmond Street and I-95) is being widened to create additional on-street parking for Richmond Street residents. 

What happens next on Richmond Street?

• Beginning in late winter or early spring 2019, PennDOT will begin reconstructing the sidewalks and pavement on Richmond Street between Ann and Westmoreland streets, proceeding south-to-north a few blocks at t time.
• New pedestrian scale light poles, signals, catenary poles and trees will be placed along the roadway.
• PennDOT also will install new trolley tracks for SEPTA’s Route 15 Trolley on the reconstructed section of Richmond Street.

Will this entire stretch of Richmond Street be under construction at the same time?

• Plans call for the improvements to Richmond Street in 2019 to be built a block or two at a time.
• The work zone size and location are likely to vary as work progresses both in 2019.

Will there be any detours of Richmond Street during AF1 construction? 

• Northbound Richmond Street will be closed several block at-a-time during daylight hours Mondays through Fridays for reconstruction between Ann Street and E. Westmoreland Street in 2019 as work proceeds south-to-north.
• Richmond Street remains open to local traffic, emergencies and deliveries in the northbound direction during construction between Ann Street and E. Westmoreland Street.
• Northbound through traffic is being detoured west on Lehigh Avenue, north on Aramingo Avenue and east on Allegheny Avenue.
• Richmond Street is closed to southbound traffic between E. Westmoreland Street and Ann Street.
• The SEPTA Route 15 Trolley will continue to be detoured during work on AF1.

Why is PennDOT rebuilding this section of Richmond Street?

• This section of Richmond Street is one of the main surface streets used for access to and from the Allegheny Avenue/Castor Avenue Interchange.
• The improvements are the first phase in the reconstruction of I-95 between the Frankford Creek and Ann Street, including reconstruction and improvements to the Allegheny/Castor Interchange.
• Completing these improvements now will assist in the movement of traffic during upcoming I-95 reconstruction, plus serve the long range traffic movement needs of the rebuilt interchange.
• Completing the improvements on Richmond Street and at the Loop will allow SEPTA to resume Route 15 Trolley service.

Will trash pickup, mail delivery and other services continue during construction?

• Yes.

How much will AF1 construction cost?

• The construction contract for Richmond Street improvements is $32,139,695. AP Construction, Inc., of Blackwood, NJ is the general contractor.

Will I be able to park on Richmond Street during this construction?

• Parking will be restricted in work areas. On-street parking on Richmond Street will remain available in areas where there is no construction. 

Is work on Richmond Street being coordinated with work on the I-95 viaducts at Girard Avenue?

• Yes. Construction Management teams for these PennDOT projects will coordinate activities to ensure that there are no conflicts between the two projects and their impacts on the community.