SEPTa grants a contract to modify three subway stations to ensure full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
SEPTA Awards Contract for ADA Accessibility Improvements at Three Stations
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has taken a significant step towards making its rail network more accessible for all passengers. In a move that aligns with their strategic plan, SEPTA Forward, the Authority has awarded a contract to Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. for the design of three subway stations on the Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line.
The Lombard-South, Ellsworth-Federal Stations on the Broad Street Line, and the Chinatown Station on the Broad-Ridge Spur will undergo transformative improvements, making them fully ADA accessible. These stations, built before the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are currently only accessible via stairs.
The improvements under this contract include the installation of elevators, platform renovation, new signage, lighting, security cameras, and waterproofing. Once the design phase is completed, SEPTA can advance to the construction phase for these stations.
SEPTA is committed to making all stations on the Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line accessible. This commitment is reflected in their 12-Year Capital Program, where accessibility has been prioritized.
However, as of August 2025, SEPTA has not publicly released detailed timelines or cost estimates specifically for ADA accessibility improvements at the Lombard-South, Ellsworth-Federal, and Chinatown Stations. The ongoing funding crisis and service cuts may also impact these improvements.
SEPTA is working with state and local funding partners to identify additional resources to help leverage and maximize federal dollars to address SEPTA's capital needs. With these partnerships, SEPTA hopes to expedite the implementation of these much-needed improvements.
SEPTA operates ADA paratransit services region-wide but infrastructure accessibility projects tend to be handled as separate capital projects. Current specific station upgrades were not included in publicly cited projects.
SEPTA is continuing to prioritize enhancements across the system to make it easier to use and more accessible to all. With the contract awarded to Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., worth $5,793,063, SEPTA moves one step closer to its goal of a fully accessible rail network.
SEPTA will update the timelines for work at other stations on the Broad Street and Market-Frankford Lines with the release of the new capital budget and program in April. Until then, the Authority encourages passengers to stay informed and patient as they work towards a more inclusive and accessible public transportation system.
The management of SEPTA is utilizing the expertise of Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. to leverage technology in transforming three historic rail stations – Lombard-South, Ellsworth-Federal, and Chinatown – into fully ADA-accessible facilities, a crucial step in aligning the transportation industry's standards with finance and inclusion. SEPTA's 12-Year Capital Program designated accessibility as a priority, highlighting the Authority's commitment to ensuring transportation infrastructure serves all passengers equally. However, the precise timeline and cost estimates for these ADA accessibility improvements remain undisclosed, with the ongoing funding crisis presenting potential challenges. With the help of state and local funding partners, SEPTA aims to efficiently allocate resources and expedite the implementations of these upgrades, contributing to a more inclusive transportation network overall.
