52nd Street station (Market–Frankford Line)

Not to be confused with 52nd Street station (SEPTA Regional Rail).
52nd Street
Station exterior as seen from 52nd Street
General information
Location5200 Market Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Coordinates39°57′35″N 75°13′30″W / 39.9597°N 75.2250°W / 39.9597; -75.2250
Owned bySoutheastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority
Platforms2 side platforms
Tracks2
ConnectionsBus transport SEPTA City Bus: 31, 52
Construction
Structure typeElevated
AccessibleYes
History
OpenedMarch 4, 1907 (March 4, 1907)[1][2]
Rebuilt2008[3]
Services
Preceding station SEPTA Following station
56th Street
toward 69th Street T.C.
 Market–Frankford Line 46th Street
toward Frankford T.C.
Former services
Preceding station Philadelphia Transportation Company Following station
56th Street
toward 69th Street
 Market Elevated 46th Street
toward Frankford
Future services (2024)
Preceding station SEPTA Metro Following station
56th Street
toward 69th Street
 46th Street
toward Frankford
Location
Map

52nd Street station is an elevated stop on the Market-Frankford Line, above the intersection of 52nd Street and Market Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The station lies at the junction of four neighborhoods. Haddington is to the northwest, Dunlap to the northeast, Walnut Hill to the southeast, and Cobbs Creek to the southwest.

The SEPTA bus routes serving 52nd Street are routes 31 and 52. 52nd Street is a major shopping corridor in West Philadelphia.

History

The station prior to reconstruction, showing its 1970's Bicentennial trim

52nd Street station is one of the original Market Street Elevated stations built by the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company; the line opened for service on March 4, 1907, between 69th Street T.C. and 15th Street stations.[1][2]

From October 2006 to February 2008, the station underwent a rehabilitation project as part of a multi-phase reconstruction of the entire western Market Street Elevated.[4] The renovated station included new elevators, escalators, lighting, and other infrastructure, as well as a new brick station house.[3] Unlike other stations in the project, 52nd Street was never closed for an extended period of time.[3] The project resulted in the station becoming compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In April 2007, the Philadelphia Police Department labeled this intersection the "Worst Corner In The City" due to the high crime and rate of shootings on the block. There were 16 shootings within a 4-month span beginning in June 2006.[5]

Station layout

There are two side platforms connecting to a station house on the southeast corner of 52nd and Market streets. Two exit-only stairs descend to the west side of 52nd Street.

References

  1. ^ a b 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 Hepp, John (2013). "Subways and Elevated Lines". The Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia.
  3. ^ a b c "Market Street Elevated (MSE) Reconstruction Project". SEPTA. Archived from the original on November 15, 2008.
  4. ^ "SEPTA 'Elebrates' End Of Project". September 11, 2009. Retrieved June 2, 2020.
  5. ^ Gambacorta, David (2007-04-11). "52nd & Market Called City's Deadliest Corner". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2008-09-04.

Media related to 52nd Street (SEPTA station) at Wikimedia Commons