Riverward commuters, your daily trip down Girard Avenue just got a bit more annoying.

SEPTA tells us that they will be conducting a track renewal project on a portion of the Route 15 trolley line for the better part of the summer— from June 14-September 19, 2015. The project will progress in moving three-block sections. Work will take place first along the section of Girard Avenue between 3rd and 7th Streets and then move to the area just east of Frankford Avenue to Susquehanna Avenue. Normal construction hours will be Monday-Friday, 7AM – 8PM. Weekend work may be required to maintain the project schedule.

This work is necessary because, well, the tracks are old and busted: The current tracks were installed in the 1950s, and the street structure supporting the tracks has deteriorated due to weather, traffic and the age of the road surface. But it doesn’t take a street historian to realize that.

How will this all affect your daily routine?

Buses will replace trolleys along the entire Route 15 from June 14-September 5, 2015. Trolleys will return between Frankford and Delaware Avenues and 63rd Street and Girard Avenue on September 6. Shuttle buses currently in use between Richmond Street and Allegheny Avenue and Front Street and Girard Avenue due to PennDOT construction will continue to operate in place of trolleys. A SEPTA spokeswoman told The Spirit that due to the construction, shuttle buses will pick up passengers at the curb, rather than on the trolley islands where the trolley stops are normally located.

Girard Avenue will remain open during the project and the work will be kept within the trolley and travel lanes. However, all side streets in the construction areas will be closed to thru traffic, but local traffic will be permitted up to construction sites.

“It is not our intention to close side streets during the project—all traffic will be able to turn on to Girard, with some intermittent exceptions,” Heather Redfern, SEPTA Public Information Manager, told The Spirit via email. “Drivers might not be able to drive through Girard at some times during the project (for example, if someone on 6^th wanted to cross Girard to continue on 6th, he or she might have to make a left, drive down a couple of blocks and then come back to 6^th). Detours will only be created on an as-needed basis. The SEPTA crews will not be working the entire area at once—they will be working west to east starting from 7th Street and progress three blocks at a time.”

Can’t say they didn’t warn you, but prepare to take different routes once this construction starts up.

SEPTA tells us that parking will not be permitted in the area or adjacent to the tracks being reconstructed, however, exceptions will be made for those with special needs. Walking access for businesses will be arranged.

How does this renewal change anything?

SEPTA says that the new track will reduce sound, vibration, and create an overall smoother ride for Trolley travelers—a solid return for that inconvenience… I guess.

For more information, please visit www.septa.org or call SEPTA Customer Service at (215) 580-7800.