Market Street Elevated (MSE) Reconstruction Project
Philadelphia, PA

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) selected DMJM+HARRIS to provide professional engineering/consultant services for the development of plans and specifications to reconstruct the Market Street Elevated (MSE) portion of the Market-Frankford Subway Elevated (MFSE) and the renovation of six associated stations.

MSE is a two-track heavy rail guideway simply supported atop recurring structural steel bents totaling approximately 11,000 feet in length. It operates above Market Street (S.R. 3010, L.R. 67313) from the vicinity of 45th Street in Philadelphia to the western abutment near Millbourne Station in Upper Darby, Delaware County. It was opened for service in 1907 by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company.

The principal problem of the structure is the failure of its 87-year old drainage system. The resultant steel member and concrete deck deterioration is so extensive that restoring the long-term structural integrity of the Market Street Elevated must be addressed on a global rather than a local basis.

The goal of this project is the timely preparation of construction plans and specifications that will enable SEPTA to complete reconstruction of the MSE and improve its associated stations by the year 2002. Plans and specifications for this reconstruction effort will be developed through a program that includes Preliminary Engineering, an Alternative Structure Analysis, Environmental Assessments, Constructibility Analyses, Final Engineering/Design, Cost Estimates, Construction Contract Packaging, and Construction Support Services.

DMJM+HARRIS performed a lead-based paint abatement study to assess the feasibility of reusing the existing two column steel bent substructure following lead-based paint remediation. The possibility of separating the lead-based paint removal into an advance contract was investigated. Alternative methods for lead-based paint removal were researched for feasibility. Wet-blasting methods and introduction of chemicals to render the debris non-hazardous were considered. Cost estimates were developed for the lead-based paint remediation of the columns for comparison with total substructure replacement. Recommended procedures for advance localized spot removal related to demolition were devised along with associated construction cost estimates. Conventional blasting within a containment structure was compared with removal using handheld power tools equipped with vacuum collection system.