Monday evening Bob Garrett, of Pennsylvania's Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and an Atglen native, made a presentation to Borough Council laying out plans to revitalize Parkesburg's train station and rebuild West Bridge Street.
According to Garrett, PennDOT's long-term objective is to make Parkesburg's train station:
- Accessible to all with ample parking
- A safe and secure area with sufficient pedestrian crossing
- Easy to find from Routes 30, 41, and 10
Garrett's money quote kicking off his presentation:
"You bring the brains, we'll bring the money."
Mr. Garrett left behind this three page project plan (see below) explaining the next steps of this fast moving project including the formation of a working group of 10 to 15 Parkesburg residents. The work group will work with PennDOT to develop and finalize the revitalization plan by December 2011.
Here's the document:
Page 2 (click to enlarge)
·
9 comments:
Did you hear anything about bringing SEPTA back to Parkesburg?
Eric and Judi, the only thing that was said about SEPTA is that they would work on it 'down the road.' I'll try to find out more and let you know.
Awesome news!!! I have been hoping that E or W Bridge Street would be repaired since moving to town 18 months ago.
Ken,
Do you have any background on why the bridges were originally closed? Am I correct in assuming that the closure of those bridges was the downfall of that shopping center? I have always wanted to know why that closed too.
Thanks,
Justin
@Justin - We've all been waiting a long time for this! I don't think that it was at all a coincidence that the bridges closed and the shopping center went down. Charlie's grocery store moved out to Business 30 shortly after the West Bridge St. Bridge shut down. There were several other stores there for a while, but then the other bridge also shut down, and the only ways across the tracks were Culvert St. and 372.
Septa is crucial for this towns growth and the folks that already live here.
Employment will options will expand allowing people to travel from East to West along the Main Line and Center City.
Let's hope this will be part of the plan.
I attended a forum a few years ago on the R-5 and septa said they would need to build a switching station (allows the train to switch tracks)somewhere past Atglen. Otherwise, Septa would have to run to Lancaster to turn around which is not practical for them. I have heard conflicting stories on whether this is being installed or not. The other issue is the Septa's train car shortage. I have heard they have new ones coming in over the next year or so. Septa would be a significant windfall for the Parkesburg.
Pete Staz
New to the area, I am an Amtrak Philadelphia employee and ride Amtrak from Parkesburg to work every day. Why the interest in SEPTA providing service?
I hope that the Parkesburg station will be reopened some day even if it is not staffed. More parking on both sides is sorely needed if we hope to increase ridership.
--another Ken
I just checked the track configuration at Parkesburg and there are "interlockings" both east and west of the Parkesburg station. An interlocking allows the train to switch tracks, necessary for a westbound train to reverse to an eastbound track. Our (and SEPTAs) electric trains are designed to simply reverse direction rather than turn around.
Ken- I believe the issue with the switching station is with Amtrak. Amtrak requires Septa to put the switching station in. It is not just for the purpose of switching tracks, but allows the slower SEPTA trains to sit off to the side as to not hold up faster Amtrak trains.
Post a Comment