SEPTA's 11th Street Station to Close for Accessibility Upgrades

SEPTA’s 11th Street Station to Close for a Year for Major Accessibility Upgrades

SEPTA riders who use the 11th Street Station on the Market-Frankford Line should prepare for a lengthy closure beginning this fall as the transit agency launches a major accessibility improvement project.

The station will close to the public on Sept. 5, 2026, and remain closed through Aug. 30, 2027, while crews install two street-level elevators, renovate platforms, upgrade lighting and signage, improve waterproofing, and add nearly full-length fare gates.

During the closure, Market-Frankford Line trains will bypass the station, and the underground concourse between 13th and 11th streets will also be inaccessible. Riders will be directed to nearby stations at 8th Street or 13th Street.

The $44 million project is part of SEPTA’s broader effort to make its transit system fully accessible for passengers with disabilities. Once complete, 11th Street Station will meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for the first time.

According to SEPTA project manager Will Kunkle, closing the station entirely will significantly shorten construction.

“A normal project of this magnitude is about 35 to 36 months. So by passing it for 12 months, we’re really gaining and shortening that duration,” Kunkle said.

SEPTA estimates the accelerated construction schedule will reduce the overall project timeline by at least 10 months and save up to $3 million compared to completing the work while keeping the station partially open.

The station serves approximately 9,400 riders each weekday, making it one of Center City’s busiest transit stops and an important connection to Jefferson Station, the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and nearby shopping destinations. Transit officials encourage riders to plan ahead and allow extra travel time once the closure begins.

SEPTA’s 11th Street Station to Close for a Year for Major Accessibility Upgrades was originally published on rnbphilly.com