SEPTA Continues Work On Bristol Station Upgrade Plan

A rendering of the upgraded station. Credit: SEPTA

SEPTA presented the latest updates on plans for a multi-million dollar upgrade to its station in Bristol Borough.

The project will bring significant improvements to the station, including high-level platforms, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility enhancements, and new passenger shelters, according to information provided to Bristol Borough Council Monday evening.

Amanda Robinson, SEPTA’s project manager for the Bristol Regional Rail Station’s ADA improvements project, outlined the proposed changes during a design update presentation to the council.

“We’re proposing enclosed passenger shelters on the high-level platforms. And there will be a series of precast concrete ramps and stairs for access to the boarding platforms,” Robinson explained.

The upgraded station will feature 512-foot long high-level platforms on each side of the tracks at the west end and 177-foot long low-level platforms at the east end along SEPTA’s Trenton Line which runs along Amtrak’s vital Northeast Corridor.

The project also includes improvements to the surrounding area, including new fencing and ADA-accessible curb ramps at the corners of Garden and Beaver streets and at Garden Street and Jefferson Avenue.

The project’s aesthetics were also discussed, with confirmation that the new station will feature a similar color scheme to other recently upgraded stations in the area.

The Bristol Train Station in 2021. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

New card readers will be installed at street level near stairs and ramps to improve convenience for passengers.

Construction is estimated to last approximately 26 months. It could start in October 2025 and wrap up in November 2027, according to Robinson.

The project will be completed in four phases to minimize impact on passengers and residents, according to the proposal.

“The phasing is designed to minimize the impact to our customers, passengers and surrounding residents,” Robinson said.

The cost was not discussed Monday, but officials have previously put the price tag at around $30 million. However, it was unclear how SEPTA’s recent financial woes would impact the plan.

Council members showed interest for the long-awaited improvements.

“I appreciate the fact that you guys are going to be doing this because the North Ward, we’ve been waiting a long, long time,” Councilmember Maria Figueroa said.

However, concerns were raised by Mayor Ralph DiGuiseppe III about the current state of the station and its surroundings.

Robinson said she would check with her team whether it was SEPTA’s responsibility or Amtrak’s.

Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe urged SEPTA to address immediate maintenance issues, including overgrown vegetation along the fence line on Garden Street.

File photo. Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

“We need to do something for the people that live there,” the council president said. “It’s a great project and I don’t want to throw a damper on it tonight because it’s going to be beautiful when it’s done and it’s something that we really need.”

SEPTA representatives acknowledged the concerns and committed to looking into immediate maintenance solutions.

Bob Kent, who works SEPTA’s Government Affairs Office, assured the council that they would investigate the vegetation issue.

The presentation from SEPTA officials also touched on potential future programs, including a ride-share program that could connect the station to local restaurants and attractions.

The Bristol Station upgrade is part of SEPTA’s ongoing efforts to modernize its infrastructure and improve accessibility across its system.

Borough officials have been calling for updates to the train station for years, and SEPTA did recently undertake some smaller repairs.

SEPTA has completed multi-million dollar overhauls of the stations in Bristol Township’s Croydon section and Tullytown Borough’s Levittown section in recent years.

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