About this Project

SEPTA is advancing accessibility improvements at three subway stations in Philadelphia: Lombard-South and Ellsworth-Federal Stations on the Broad Street Line, and Chinatown Station on the Broad-Ridge Spur. These stations, built decades before the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), are currently only accessible via stairs. The project includes installing elevators, renovating platforms, updating signage and lighting, adding security cameras, and waterproofing infrastructure. These upgrades are part of SEPTA’s broader commitment to system-wide accessibility, as outlined in its strategic plan, SEPTA Forward, and are supported by federal infrastructure funding.

AEG is providing geotechnical services to support the design and construction phases of these station upgrades. Our responsibilities include overseeing boring activities, laboratory testing, and preparing Geotechnical Engineering Reports (GERs) for each station. AEG developed Site-Specific Work Plans (SSWPs) to ensure safe and efficient operations at each location. Working closely with the Prime Contractor, AEG established survey control points for street-level and platform-level borings, particularly for elevator placement. All testing is performed in AEG’s in-house AASHTO Accredited and USACE Validated Testing Laboratory. GER letters summarizing subsurface investigations and geotechnical evaluations were prepared for each site, contributing to the technical foundation of SEPTA’s accessibility improvements.

Rendering provided by Jacobs.