Planners in Philadelphia believe that the Franklin Square Station will achieve higher ridership figures than when the station closed 40 years ago, thanks to numerous large developments in the area.
"People visiting Independence Hall, Chinatown or Old City are one step closer to a transit option that’s been out commission for 40 years," reports Catalina Jaramillo.
"PATCO has won a $12.6 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to repair, remodel and reopen its abandoned Franklin Square Station located at Race Street between 6th and 7th streets. The station closed in 1979," adds Jamarillo. The grant was among the $900 million in BUILD grant funding announced earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
"The project has been in the works for over 10 years, with the design phase starting two years ago. Its has a total budget of $30 million which includes civil, structural, mechanical and electrical improvements to bring it up to code. A new entrance building will be located at the corner of 7th and Race Street, with elevators to bring the station into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. PATCO executives said the rest of the budget will be funded by the Delaware River Port Authority."
FULL STORY: PATCO gets $12.6M federal grant to reopen abandoned Franklin Square Station
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