A little more than three years ago Lower Bucks Source was the first to report discussions were underway for a full revamp of the SEPTA Bristol Regional Rail station.
Officials from the transportation authority presented an update to Council Monday night, amid the proposed fare hike/service cuts the mass transit service provider is now proposing as of Tuesday.
Lower Bucks Source held back an earlier version of this story due to the “transportation services death spiral” SEPTA officials are pointing to because as one Lower Bucks Source reader, Sharon Rose of Bristol said “Yup makes total sense to give it a facelift just as SEPTA is about to cut back on service while simultaneously raising fares by 30%.”
Director of Media Relations for SEPTA, Andrew Busch was quick to stop any talk about the project being cancelled in light of Tuesday’s services cut/ fare hike announcement.
On the funding for the project, he said, where we stand now, there would not be an impact on the Bristol Station project because we have budgeted for it within our capital budget.
“Capital funds are separate from the operating dollars and are designated for specific projects, like the Bristol Station work,” Busch explained.
At Monday’s meeting Amanda Robinson, project manager for the Bristol Station’s ADA improvements project, outlined the proposed changes during a design update in which she said is only 60 percent complete. Significant improvements to the station include high-level platforms, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility enhancements, and new passenger shelters, additional card readers, installed at street level near stairs and ramps to improve convenience for rail riders.
Additionally, the upgrades will feature 512-foot long high-level platforms on each side of the tracks at the west end and 177-foot long low-level platforms at the east end.
The project will be completed in four phases to minimize impact on passengers and residents, Robinson said.
Councilwoman Maria Figueroa, who lives in the north ward where the station is situated and has been instrumental in getting Amtrak to respond to borough issues, was appreciative for the update on the planned station overhaul.
“I appreciate the fact that you guys are going to be doing this because the North Ward, we’ve been waiting a long, long time,” she said.
Figueroa, joined by Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe, pushed for SEPTA to address upkeep issues, along the fence line on Garden Street, calling it in essence an eyesore for residents and visitors to the borough
“We need to do something for the people that live there,” DiGuiseppe said. “It’s a great project and I don’t want to throw a damper on it tonight because it’s going to be beautiful when it’s done and it’s something that we really need.”
The SEPTA representatives said they would look into the overgrowth and station maintenance issues. The publication reached out to SEPTA officials about the overgrowth issues.
We are following up with officials on plans to enhance cleaning and upkeep around the station. SEPTA wants to be a good partner with the community, and we will use that feedback to make improvements at the station, the communications director (Andrew Busch) said.
Incremental steps over the last there years including station touch ups and platform work have slightly improved the overall look of the station for short periods of time.
Construction is estimated to last approximately 26 months, once the entire draft plan is completed, with an eye for work to start in October 2025 and finish up in November 2027, officials said.
Click here to see the current version of the SEPTA plan.
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