Representatives from SEPTA and TMACC took to the parking lot of Paoli Station yesterday to answer riders’ questions and concerns regarding the BIG redevelopment of the station set to begin this year. Here are some of the questions they answered.

Where will I park when construction starts?

There will be no changes to parking until late 2016. At that time, the large SEPTA northwest Permit parking lot on North Valley Road will be expanded to include the 44 commuter spaces currently in the northeast parking lot on North Valley Road. The northeast lot will be closed for construction purposes.

There will be no changes to the south parking lot (along Lancaster Avenue) during construction.

When construction is completed, the northeast lot on North Valley Road will re-open as a designated Kiss and Ride Parking lot with short-term parking and passenger drop off/pick up areas.

Will there be a loss of parking at the station during and after construction?

No. There will be no loss in Parking spaces during or after construction but some parking spaces will be “shifted/relocated”. The current commuter spaces in the northeast lot on North Valley Road will be relocated to the northwest Permit parking lot as noted in question #1.

How will drop-off/pick-ups work (change) during construction?

Drop-off / pick-ups will not change in the south parking lot along Lancaster Avenue. Drop-off and pick-ups in the former northeast lot on North Valley Road will occur in the northwest Permit parking lot on North Valley Road where a designated drop-off /pick-up area will be identified.

Will vehicular access points to and from North Valley Road and Route 30 change during construction and after construction?

Access points to and from the station will not change during construction, with the exception of the northeast parking lot on North Valley Road which will be closed to vehicular traffic.

A pedestrian walkway will be retained for use of the stairs to and from the outbound platform to the North Valley Road sidewalks. After construction, the northeast lot will be a designated Kiss and Ride Parking lot with short-term parking and passenger drop off/pick up areas.

Will SEPTA and Amtrak modify their schedules during construction?

No schedule changes are anticipated at this time. In the event that there might be temporary, short term schedule adjustments, flyers will be distributed at the station and notices published on Amtrak’s and SEPTA’s websites.

How long will construction last?

Construction will last approximately 30 months, starting in summer of 2016 and ending in late 2018

How much will the project cost? Who is paying for this?

The Accessibility Project budget is currently estimated at $36m. Amtrak will provide $12m in funding and SEPTA (in partnership with PennDOT) will provide $24m.

When will the Darby Road Bridge be reconstructed/relocated?

This Project is currently in design and being managed by PennDOT. PennDOT should be contacted for questions regarding the construction schedule.

Is there a schedule and funding identified for construction of the proposed garage/bus area?

Not at this time. However, the designs of the Accessibility Project and Darby Road Bridge relocation are compatible with and allow for the incorporation of the garage/bus area when funding is identified.

This element of the Transportation Center may also be a project worth pursuing as a P3 (Public-Private Partnership) in order to identify funding.

Where do I go for information/updates on the project?

Information and updates on the project will be available on the nec@amtrak.com, www.SEPTA.org/rebuilding, www.tmacc.org and www.tredyffrin.org websites.

Any changes to walking/bicycling routes to the station?

None at this time.

Any changes to bus schedules?

None at this time. In the event that there might be temporary, short term schedule adjustments, flyers will be distributed at the station and notices published on SEPTA’s website.

When will construction take place – day or night? Will noise level impact local neighborhood?

Construction will take place primarily at night in the vicinity of the station. Noise levels are not anticipated to impact local neighborhoods since the area surrounding the station is generally commercial.

Will this project impact me as (1) a train rider, (2) a local resident or (3) a local business?

This project is intended to provide accessibility to all passengers that use the station and will improve mobility to, from and through the station.

The modernization of the station to meet accessibility standards is expected to benefit all SEPTA and Amtrak train riders (current and new). Many communities see increased use by residents when rail stations are updated and modernized. Local businesses have experienced access to new customers drawn to the modernized facilities.