The underground SEPTA trolley system. (Credit: Transit Forward Philadelphia)
SEPTA’s Trolley Routes will be closed for maintenance from July 11 to August 11.
In what the transit company dubs the “Trolley Tunnel Blitz,” crews work tirelessly to focus on track and power maintenance, station upgrades, and intensive cleaning.
SEPTA Trolley Routes [T1] 10, [T2] 34, [T3] 13, [T4] 11, and [T5] 36 will not operate in the Center City tunnel from 10 pm on Friday, July 11, through the following month.
The Blitz tasks include replacing worn-out track and overhead contact wire, cleaning pipes and drains, maintenance of the signal systems, and station cleaning to remove graffiti, repaint, and replace lighting.
Trolley service will begin and end at 40th and Market Streets. Customers can board SEPTA’s [L] Market-Frankford Line at 40th Street Station for travel to Center City.
In a release, SEPTA said that this is the thirteenth consecutive year the company has held the Trolley Tunnel Blitz. To impact the fewest number of customers, it’s typically scheduled in the summer when ridership is lower.
“The blitz gives our crews the opportunity to tackle construction, maintenance and safety improvement work in a concentrated period of time to reduce the number of outages throughout the year,” said SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer in the statement.
This is the last tunnel closure before the tradition pauses for a year, as SEPTA said there will be no trolley closures next year due to the massive influx of tourists expected for Summer 2026.
For America’s 250th birthday, the City of Philadelphia anticipates millions of tourists to come and explore the historic region. In addition to the typical heritage attractions, Philadelphia is hosting the FIFA World Cup and the MLB All-Star Game, which will increase traction on the city’s public transit.
This summer’s Tunnel Blitz has to work double time in order to prepare the SEPTA trolley system for the eyes of future visitors, especially as the city's public transit system is expected to diminish in service due to steep budget cuts.
