Navy Yard Extension
In 2000, the City of Philadelphia assumed control of the former Philadelphia Naval Shipyard (a.k.a. the Navy Yard) after it was closed by the U.S. Department of Defense. Redevelopment of the area has occurred slowly since that time, with most new structures being office buildings. Long term plans call for residential and commercial/retail development.
Previous proposals have included plans to extend the Broad Street Line into the area. While this makes sense for travel between the Navy Yard and external locations, it is not the best solution for travel within the area. Extending the Broad Street Line south to Woodbury, NJ would better utilize the significant passenger transport capacity provided by a heavy rail system, and would greatly enhance the movement of people between the City of Philadelphia and Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland counties with benefits for the whole region. Building a subway for the movement of people within the Navy Yard would be very expensive relative to the projected number of passengers.
The proposed Navy Yard extension would expand the SEPTA Subway-Surface system along the following alignment: from 37th & Spruce via South University Avenue (in subway) to a tunnel portal south of the Amtrak Northeast Corridor and east of South University Avenue parallel to and north of River Field Drive. The route then connects to the existing rail bridge across the Schuylkill River, which will be converted for Subway-Surface system use only. A new route for freight railroad movements will need to be determined and implemented.
East of the Schuylkill River, the route would utilize the 25th Street viaduct and the railroad right-of way immediately adjacent to the south side of FDR park. After approaching the northwestern perimeter of the Navy Yard, the route would then cross the adjacent railroad tracks on a bridge before descending to ground level at the east end to meet the alignment of League Island Boulevard. Trolleys would operate in the median of League Island Boulevard before turning west onto Kitty Hawk Avenue. The route would continue to a loop utilizing 16th Street, Flagship Avenue, and 15th Street prior to starting an inbound journey. It is anticipated that the extension will be built to the standards associated with the proposed Subway-Surface modernation project.
Six new Subway-Surface stations would be built: Civic Center (underground), Washington (elevated), Tasker-Morris (elevated), Snyder (elevated), Oregon (elevated), and Penrose (elevated). Nine additional street level stops will be located within the Navy Yard. Intermodal transfers to the Broad Street Line are anticipated to be available at the intersection of Broad Street and Kitty Hawk Avenue.
Benefits of this project include:
1) Providing greater mobility for travel within the Navy Yard at a must cheaper cost than extending the Broad Street Line.
2) Connecting the Navy Yard to University City and the 30th Street Station with no transfers.
3) Providing improved service to the redeveloping portion of western South Philadelphia currently not served by fixed guideway transit.
4) Utilizing the Subway-Surface system as the transit mode best matching potential demand.
