30th St. Station entrance to reopen Friday

The west entrance of 30th Street Station, which has been closed for renovation for a year, will reopen to travelers on Friday, Amtrak officials said Thursday.

Scaffolding will remain on much of the rest of the 80-year-old landmark, which is awaiting a $60 million renovation that is not yet funded.

The rebuilt plaza on the 30th Street side of the station features improved lighting, parking, bike racks, outdoor seating, and a five-foot diameter medallion with the Amtrak logo and 20-inch bronze inlaid lettering spelling out "Philadelphia."

The $30 million Amtrak-funded project also includes renovation of the steel infrastructure beneath the pedestrian plaza, which will continue into 2014.

- Paul Nussbaum