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5th Street/Independence Hall station

Coordinates: 39°57′02″N 75°08′56″W / 39.9505°N 75.1488°W / 39.9505; -75.1488
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5th Street/Independence Hall
5th Street/Independence Hall station platform
General information
Location5th and Market Streets
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Coordinates39°57′02″N 75°08′56″W / 39.9505°N 75.1488°W / 39.9505; -75.1488
Owned byCity of Philadelphia
Operated bySEPTA
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
ConnectionsBus transport SEPTA City Bus: 17, 33, 38, 44, 48
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
AccessibleYes
History
OpenedAugust 3, 1908 (August 3, 1908)[1][2][3]
Previous names5th Street (1908–2016)[4]
Services
Preceding station SEPTA Following station
8th Street Market–Frankford Line 2nd Street
Future services (2024)
Preceding station SEPTA Metro Following station
8th–Market 2nd Street
Location
Map

5th Street/Independence Hall station is a subway station in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the intersection of 5th and Market Streets, served by SEPTA's Market-Frankford Line. The station serves multiple notable Philadelphia landmarks including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the National Constitution Center, the National Museum of American Jewish History, and the Philadelphia Bourse.[5]

The station originally opened as 5th Street station and was renamed by SEPTA on June 29, 2016.[4][6]

The station is also served by numerous SEPTA bus routes, the 17, 33, 38, 44, and 48.

History

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The station platform in 2018

The station opened August 3, 1908 as part of the first extension of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company's Market Street Subway.[1][3] The line had originally opened a year earlier between 69th Street and 15th Street station.[1][3]

The station was expanded in the 1950s along with the creation of the Independence Mall, and was last rehabilitated in 1974 in preparation for the United States Bicentennial.[2][7] Elevators were installed in 2010, making the station accessible under the Americans with Disabilities Act.[7]

In July 2016, the city approved designs to rehabilitate the station, including new signage and lighting, rebuilt staircases and headhouses, as well as new artwork.[2] The project began fall 2018 and it is scheduled for completion in fall 2020, coming in at an estimated total cost of $19.5 million. During the construction project, trains were bypassing the station.[7][8]

Station layout

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The station has two side platforms with separate fare control on either side. 5th Street is the only station on the line in Center City that does not have a mezzanine crossover between the two platforms.

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Cox, Harold E. (1967). May, Jack (ed.). The Road from Upper Darby. The Story of the Market Street Subway-Elevated. New York, NY: Electric Railroaders' Association. p. 16. OCLC 54770701.
  2. ^ a b c Hahn, Ashley (July 13, 2016). "Art Commission approves rehab of 5th Street El station, denies digital displays at SEPTA entrances". PlanPhilly. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  3. ^ a b c Hepp, John (2013). "Subways and Elevated Lines". The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia.
  4. ^ a b Brey, Jared (June 29, 2016). "SEPTA to Rename 5th Street Station". Philadelphia Magazine. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  5. ^ philadelphiabuildings.org
  6. ^ Hickey, Brian (June 30, 2016). "SEPTA renames 5th Street Station after history, not corporate branding". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  7. ^ a b c "SEPTA, 5th Street Station Rehabilitation". Burns Engineering. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  8. ^ "5th Street Station (Market Frankford Line)". SEPTA. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
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