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In Spring 2015, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) began construction work to replace the Crum Creek Viaduct – known locally as "the Trestle" – on SEPTA's Media-Elwyn Regional Rail Line.
The Crum Creek Viaduct was built in 1895 and has reached the end of its useful life and requires replacement to ensure continued safe and efficient rail service for the thousands of Delaware County residents who rely on the Media-Elwyn Line every day.
Community members visiting the Crum Woods are advised to be aware of posted signs surrounding the construction site and to take proper precautions.
Restoration of the site and surrounding landscape will begin immediately following completion of the new viaduct.
Below is information from SEPTA about the project:
To complete the Crum Creek Viaduct Project, SEPTA has announced several significant changes to the Media-Elywn Regional Rail service, many of which will have an impact on the College community this summer.
Beginning June 20 and lasting until September 4, SEPTA will suspend westbound rail service (towards Media) from the Swarthmore station. The shutdown will allow construction crews to complete the replacement of the Crum Creek Viaduct, a project that began in the spring 2015. During the shutdown, construction crews will be working 24/7.
As a substitute for train service, four buses will be available each hour to transport passengers to and from Swarthmore and the affected stations (Wallingford, Rose Valley, Media, Elwyn). This will almost certainly lead to riders from thosestations driving directly to Swarthmore, so please be advised that parking may be more difficult than usual. Normal rail service will operate between Swarthmore and Center City.
Because of the service suspension, SEPTA will use a portion of the Swarthmore station as a temporary railyard where train cars are stored when not in use. If you see anything of concern on the tracks during this time, please contact Public Safety at 610-328-8281.
Additionally, each night during the shutdown, SEPTA employees will perform maintenance on approximately 20 train cars stored on the tracks. The maintenance work will create noise and disruption during the late night hours.These developments will be an inconvenience to many members of our community, but they are necessary for the safe travel of thousands of riders in our area.
More information about the summer rail service shutdown and the viaduct replacement project is available at http://www.septa.org/crum-creek.
SEPTA will be adding a seventh day – Sunday – to their work schedule beginning Sunday, February 21. The work period will be the same as during the weekday – 7:00 AM to 3:30 PM – and will consist of the same type of work currently being performed. For the near-term, that work will continue to consist of rebar placement, forming and concrete pouring related to the construction of the piers and abutments.
Construction activities are continuing around the Crum Creek Viaduct project site and maintaining safety around the site has become a priority. Please remember that this is an active construction site and therefore the areas near and under the Viaduct are closed to the public. A portion of the trail that runs below the Viaduct, just north of the Holly Meadow, is currently closed. For safety reasons, it is important to keep away from the active construction site, which contains holes, large equipment, and exposed rebar. The site is marked with fencing and signage.
Recent activities include:
Third-party contractors have started preliminary site access and staging preparation in advance of bridge construction work that will begin later this spring. With construction activities now underway, area residents and members of the college community will notice increased construction work and vehicle circulation on Rogers Lane, Turner Road and Plush Mill Road.
Major activities during the initial phase will include:
The project will also require the closure of a section of trail in Crum Woods. Effective Thursday, April 30, 2015, the portion of trail below the Trestle, just north of the Holly Meadow (Crumhenge) will be closed for the duration of the project. This is being done for public safety, and we are asking for the public's compliance with posted signs.
The temporary access road construction and other site preparation activities are tentatively scheduled to be completed by mid-June.
Installation of new footings, piers and abutments. Media-Elwyn Line service uninterrupted.
New girders, bridge deck, catenary towers installed and new track placed. During this stage, the Media-Elwyn Line west of Swarthmore Station will be taken out of service (approximately 10 weeks).
Viaduct replacement scheduled to be completed – along with full rail service restoration – by Labor Day 2016. Complete removal of existing bridge and towers and removal of access road. Site and landscape restoration
SEPTA's Crum Creek Viaduct Replacement Project
info@crumcreekviaduct.com | 844-277-8810 (toll-free) | website
Jeff Jabco, Chair of the Crum Woods Stewardship Committee
jjabco1@swarthmore.edu | 610-328-8294