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SEPTA service restored after water leak near Philly’s 30th Street Station halts subway and trolley service

SEPTA was unsure whether the affected portions of the Market-Frankford Lines and trolley lines would be running by the Monday morning commute.

The scene of a water leak on Market Street outside 30th Street Station that caused flooding and disrupted SEPTA subway and trolley service Sunday.
The scene of a water leak on Market Street outside 30th Street Station that caused flooding and disrupted SEPTA subway and trolley service Sunday.Read moreELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Staff Photographer

»Update: Service has been restored to all lines in time for the Monday morning commute, according to SEPTA.

A water leak at 30th Street Station continued to cause travel problems both above and below ground Sunday night.

Water had been drained from the tunnel by 8 p.m., according to SEPTA and the Philadelphia Water Department, but the transportation authority was unsure whether the affected Market-Frankford Lines would be running by the Monday morning commute. Track, signals, and equipment inspections were ongoing as of 9 p.m., SEPTA spokesperson Andrew Busch said.

“Our hope is to have that done tonight so that we will be able to alert riders about what is running, or not, for the start of service tomorrow,” Busch said by email.

In place of subway trains on the Market-Frankford Line and trolley cars, SEPTA was operating shuttle buses between 15th Street and 40th Street Stations, Busch said. Subway trains and trolleys were to run between 69th Street Transportation Center and 40th Street Station and also between Frankford Transportation Center and 15th Street Station, SEPTA said.

“There were four trolleys in the tunnel when the water started coming in,” Busch said. “Those vehicles had to stop and we have safely evacuated everyone. We’re in close contact with the water department to try to determine when normal service can resume.”

The Philadelphia Water Department responded to reports of a leak near the station and shut down a 16-inch water main just before 3 p.m. Sunday, spokesperson Brian Rademaekers said. The source of the leak was being investigated, he said, and it was not a confirmed water main break.

The Philadelphia Water Department remained on site into the night, continuing with repairs and vowing to have service restored to customers as soon as possible, Rademaekers said. They were still determining the source of the leak as of 8 p.m., he said. Residents without water were advised to immediately contact the water department at 215-685-6300, he said.

Riders reported seeing trolleys stopped in the tunnel around 30th Street Station. Passengers on trolleys behind those got off and went upstairs to board buses or walk.

Above ground, Market Street was underwater, with the deepest sections around 29th Street.