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176-696: Restored service has been proposed, but is not planned by SEPTA . The line is currently used by the East Penn Railroad , serving Quakertown's industrial complexes and distribution centers. With 6,884 daily riders every weekday in FY 2022, it is the second busiest line in SEPTA's Regional Rail network. The Lansdale/Doylestown Line utilizes what is known as the SEPTA Main Line , a four-track line that has been owned by SEPTA since 1983. Prior to that, it

352-476: A Jersey barrier and several intersections controlled by jughandles . The route comes to a junction with PA 63 , at which point it enters Horsham Township . There, the road narrows to four lanes and passes between two shopping centers, crossing into Montgomery Township and heading into the North Penn Valley region. The route bends to the northwest and continues through commercial areas, running to

528-420: A Luzerne and Susquehanna Railway line and comes to a partial cloverleaf interchange with North Wilkes-Barre Boulevard that provides access to downtown Wilkes-Barre. The route leaves Wilkes-Barre for Plains Township again and crosses over Mill Creek and Norfolk Southern's Sunbury Line before heading near woods and reaching a diamond interchange serving South River Street to the southwest of Plains . Past here,

704-693: A turnpike called Bethlehem Pike that was built in the 1800s. With the creation of the U.S. Highway System in 1926, U.S. Route 309 ( US 309 ) was designated to run from US 120 (later renamed US 422 ) in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia north to US 11 in Wilkes-Barre. When first designated, US 309 followed the present corridor of PA 309 to Allentown before heading further east through Slatington , Palmerton , Lehighton , Jim Thorpe , and Nesquehoning and then following present-day PA 309 between Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre. In 1930, US 309

880-453: A Luzerne and Susquehanna Railway line and entering Luzerne . The freeway reaches a northbound exit and southbound entrance at Union Street, where it narrows to four lanes and crosses into Pringle , heading across Toby Creek . PA 309 continues northwest and passes through Courtdale before it comes to a southbound exit and northbound entrance with Main Street on the border between Courtdale to

1056-551: A Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad line and entering McAdoo . Here, the route becomes South Kennedy Drive and narrows to a two-lane undivided road, running past homes and a few businesses. The road crosses Blaine Street in the center of McAdoo, where its name changes to North Kennedy Drive, passing more residences. PA 309 leaves McAdoo and heads through a small section of Kline Township. The route enters Banks Township in Carbon County and becomes unnamed, heading to

1232-722: A bridge over SEPTA's Lansdale/Doylestown Line before it bends north and passes under Norfolk Southern 's Morrisville Line . PA 309 enters Upper Dublin Township and comes to a modified cloverleaf interchange connecting to the Fort Washington interchange with the Pennsylvania Turnpike ( I-276 ) and Pennsylvania Avenue in Fort Washington . From here, the freeway runs near business parks before heading north-northwest through wooded residential areas to

1408-444: A center left-turn lane coming to an intersection with the northern terminus of PA 924 . The route runs through more of Hazelton and passes businesses as it reaches a junction with the western terminus of PA 940 on the northern border of Hazelton. At this point, PA 309 crosses back into Hazle Township and runs through commercial areas as an unnamed road, passing to the west of Church Hill Mall and widening to five lanes. The road runs to

1584-587: A center turn lane, heading into Dallas . PA 309 comes to an intersection with the southern terminus of PA 415 , which provides access to PA 118 , and turns northwest onto Tunkhannock Highway, a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane. The road runs through wooded residential areas and heads back into Dallas Township, curving to the north. The route bends northwest and passes near businesses. PA 309 curves north and narrows to two lanes, passing through wooded areas with some fields and development. The road turns northwest and continues through rural land, heading back to

1760-769: A citywide system of bus , trolley , and trackless trolley routes, the Market–Frankford Line (subway-elevated rail), the Broad Street Line (subway), and the Delaware River Bridge Line (subway-elevated rail to City Hall, Camden, NJ) which became SEPTA's City Transit Division. The PTC had been created in 1940 with the merger of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company (formed in 1902), and a group of smaller, then-independent transit companies operating within

1936-707: A cloverleaf interchange at Tilghman Street . The freeway runs northwest near more homes and commercial establishments and reaches a cloverleaf interchange with the US 22 freeway a short distance east of that route's interchange with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension , also known as I-476 . Past the US 22 interchange, the freeway ends and PA 309 continues northwest as an unnamed four-lane divided highway with at-grade intersections, passing near commercial development. The road curves to

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2112-477: A concurrency with PA 309. The two routes pass through wooded areas with some homes and reach South Tamaqua , where PA 443 splits to the southwest. PA 309 heads northwest near a coal mine before curving north into forested areas and running along the east bank of the Little Schuylkill River , passing between Second Mountain to the west and Mauch Chunk Mountain to the east. The road passes near

2288-402: A diamond interchange at Paper Mill Road, where it makes a turn to the northwest as it passes northeast of Springfield Township High School . PA 309 reaches a diamond interchange with PA 73 near Oreland and continues through suburban areas, entering Whitemarsh Township . The freeway heads north as it passes near business parks, crossing Sandy Run . The route heads north-northeast and comes to

2464-497: A diamond interchange serving Norristown Road to the east of Spring House . The route runs near business parks and curves northwest, heading near residential development before it comes to the north end of the Fort Washington Expressway and merges onto Bethlehem Pike , with a southbound exit and northbound entrance for Bethlehem Pike. PA 309 continues north on Bethlehem Pike, a four-lane divided highway with

2640-512: A diamond interchange with PA 113 northeast of Souderton . PA 309 turns north and runs through woodland and farmland with some nearby development, curving northwest and crossing into West Rockhill Township . The route passes over the Bethlehem Line , a railroad line that is owned by SEPTA and operated by the East Penn Railroad , and reaches a diamond interchange with the northern terminus of PA 152 that provides access to Sellersville to

2816-441: A divided highway again as it crosses West Pumping Station Road and heads to the east of a shopping center. PA 309 continues north past wooded areas and businesses as a five-lane road with a center turn lane, passing to the west of Shelly . The road crosses into Springfield Township and becomes Bethlehem Pike, running north-northwest through more forested areas with some commercial development. PA 309 enters Lehigh County , which

2992-439: A divided highway. Past this intersection, the route becomes undivided again and crosses Norfolk Southern's Sheppton Industrial Track at-grade, heading past homes and commercial buildings and curving northeast into Hazleton . PA 309 runs through commercial areas and woodland, narrowing to two lanes. The road passes under Norfolk Southern's Hazleton Running Track and runs through residential areas before passing businesses and becoming

3168-487: A door-to-door ridesharing service through advance reservations for senior citizens age 65 or older in the city of Philadelphia for travel within the city and to points within 3 miles (4.8 km) of the city's borders. The ADA Paratransit Service provides door-to-door service through advance reservations for people with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), allowing for travel across

3344-570: A few commercial establishments and enters Tamaqua , continuing through forests and running between Sharp Mountain to the west and Pisgah Mountain to the east. The route becomes two-lane Center Street and runs past businesses, crossing the Little Schuylkill River and a Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad line at-grade. PA 309 runs past homes and businesses and comes to the Five Points intersection with US 209 in

3520-485: A four-lane divided highway and comes to a junction with the western terminus of PA 313 and the northern terminus of PA 663 . From this junction, the road becomes North West End Boulevard and runs past shopping centers, becoming the border between Richland Township to the west and Quakertown to the east. PA 309 fully enters Richland Township again and becomes a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane, passing commercial development and woodland. The route briefly turns into

3696-629: A four-lane freeway and comes to an interchange with I-78 and the southern terminus of PA 145 in Lanark . At this point, PA 309 heads west concurrent with I-78 westbound on a six-lane freeway, while PA 145 northbound provides access to Allentown . The highway comes to a southbound exit and northbound entrance with Rock Road that provides a connection to PA 145 in Summit Lawn , at which point it crosses into Salisbury Township . Following this, I-78/PA 309 descends forested South Mountain . After crossing

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3872-564: A four-lane freeway called the Sellersville Bypass, coming to a partial interchange with Bethlehem Pike that has a northbound exit and a southbound exit and entrance in addition to a southbound right-in/right-out with Bergey Road. At this point, the route curves north-northwest to fully enter Hilltown Township in Bucks County. The freeway runs through wooded areas with nearby residential and commercial development and comes to

4048-660: A future alternate to New York via the West Trenton Line and NJT. Another plan offers a connection for travel to Baltimore and Washington, D.C. via MARC, involving extensions of the SEPTA Wilmington/Newark Line from Newark, Delaware, an extension of MARC's Penn service from Perryville, Maryland , or both. CCT Connect is a paratransit service from SEPTA that offers a Shared-Ride Program for senior citizens and ADA Paratransit Service for people with disabilities. The Shared-Ride Program provides

4224-530: A mix of farm fields and woodland with some commercial development, soon gaining a center left-turn lane and crossing Morgan Creek . The road briefly becomes a divided highway at the Tollgate Road intersection before it continues past businesses as a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane, with another divided highway stretch at the entrance to the Richland Plaza shopping center located east of

4400-805: A multilane road between PA 895 in Snyders and PA 443, between US 209 in Tamaqua and Ginther, and between McAdoo and Audenried. In the 1950s, US 309 was moved to a different alignment between Allentown and Hazleton. The route followed 7th Street and MacArthur Road before heading west along with US 22 on the Lehigh Valley Thruway to Fogelsville . From Fogelsville, US 309 turned north and replaced PA 100 between Fogelsville and Pleasant Corners and PA 29 between Pleasant Corners and Hazleton. The former alignment of US 309 between Allentown and Hazleton became an unnumbered road between Allentown and Walbert and

4576-599: A nearly five-year suspension. Until June 2002, five SEPTA routes were operated with trackless trolleys, using AM General vehicles built in 1978–79. Routes 29 , 59 , 66 , 75 and 79 used trackless trolleys, but were converted to diesel buses for an indefinite period starting in 2002 (routes 59, 66, 75) and 2003 (routes 29, 79). The aging AM General trackless trolleys were retired and in February 2006, SEPTA placed an order for 38 new low-floor trackless trolleys from New Flyer Industries , enough for routes 59, 66 and 75, and

4752-502: A new station atop the existing footprint. In 2008, construction began to build a new station at Ambler across the street from the existing station. All three projects were complete by 2010. The R-number naming system was dropped on July 25, 2010. As of 2022, most Lansdale/Doylestown Line trains continue through Center City to Wilmington or Newark on the Wilmington/Newark Line on weekdays and to Malvern or Thorndale on

4928-608: A partial interchange with Highland Avenue consisting of a northbound exit and southbound entrance. The route heads north through more suburban development to the east of Ambler , passing west of Upper Dublin High School , and reaches a northbound exit and southbound entrance at Susquehanna Road. PA 309 curves northwest and comes to a southbound exit and northbound entrance at Butler Pike a short distance later. The freeway runs through woodland and residential development, crossing into Lower Gwynedd Township and turning north to reach

5104-401: A realigned PA 29 between Walbert and Hazleton; PA 29 between Walbert and Hazleton is now PA 309 between Walbert and Schnecksville, PA 873 between Schnecksville and Lehigh Gap , PA 248 between Lehigh Gap and Weissport, US 209 between Weissport and Nesquehoning, and PA 93 between Nesquehoning and Hazleton. The section of PA 29 between Schnecksville and Pleasant Corners became unnumbered following

5280-534: A rerouted PA 29, which previously followed present-day PA 309 between the two cities, and is now PA 873 , PA 248 , US 209 , and PA 93 . US 309 was realigned to Fort Washington Expressway in 1960 to head to a new southern terminus at US 611 ( Broad Street ) and Stenton Avenue in Philadelphia and was also realigned to bypass Allentown. US 309 was shifted to follow present-day PA 309 between Allentown and Pleasant Corners in 1962, with PA 100 extended north along

5456-599: A short distance in Mountain Top, between Ashley and Wilkes-Barre, between Wilkes-Barre and US 11 in Pittston, along the US 6 concurrency between PA 92 and PA 29 in Tunkhannock and a stretch to the northwest of Tunkhannock, and along the US 220 concurrency between Athens and Sayre. By this time, the entire length of PA 29 between Schnecksville and Hazleton was paved, with the route realigned to bypass New Tripoli along

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5632-399: A small section of Salisbury Township before heading back into Allentown and crossing Little Lehigh Creek . The freeway heads back into Salisbury Township and runs between residential areas to the north and office buildings to the south before reaching a partial cloverleaf interchange with the northern terminus of the southern section of PA 29 at Cedar Crest Boulevard . Past this interchange,

5808-578: A stretch along the US 6 concurrency to the north of PA 87 in Russel Hill. Planning for the route began in the late 1950s. North of Philadelphia, the Fort Washington Expressway from the PA 73 interchange to US 309 (Bethlehem Pike) north of Spring House was built in 1958; the rest of that freeway from PA 73 south to PA 152 in Wyncote was built in 1960. Upon completion of Fort Washington Expressway, US 309

5984-1158: A subsidiary of SEPTA) to Frontier Division in November 1983. Krapf Transit operates one bus line under contract to SEPTA in Chester County: Route 204 between Paoli Regional Rail Station and Eagleview. This route is operated from Krapf's own garage, located in West Chester, Pennsylvania . Krapf has operated three other bus routes for SEPTA in the past. Route 202 (West Chester to Wilmington), Route 207 (The Whiteland WHIRL) and Route 208 (Strafford Train Station to Chesterbrook) are no longer operating. SEPTA contracted bus operations before in Chester County. SEPTA and Reeder's Inc. joined forces in 1977 to operate three bus routes out of West Chester. These routes were Route 120 (West Chester to Coatesville), Route 121 (West Chester to Paoli), and Route 122 (West Chester to Oxford). Bus service between West Chester and Coatesville

6160-505: A surface road called Bethlehem Pike and running through Montgomeryville . In Bucks County , the route has a freeway section bypassing Sellersville before passing through Quakertown as a surface road. PA 309 then enters the Lehigh Valley, where it joins Interstate 78 (I-78) on a freeway bypassing Allentown to the south before splitting to the north and running through rural areas as a surface road. The route continues north into

6336-708: A three-lane road with a center turn lane as it passes near wooded residential development and runs through Konns Corners. The road runs through forests with some commercial development, passing east of Crestwood High School and crossing Bow Creek before entering Fairview Township . The route heads near homes and businesses in Fairview Heights, becoming North Mountain Boulevard and widening to five lanes. PA 309 narrows back to three lanes and crosses Big Wapwallopen Creek before it heads through Mountain Top , curving to

6512-684: A three-lane road with a center turn lane. The route crosses the Hazleton Running Track at-grade and passes west of the Church Street Station serving HPT buses as it heads into the downtown area of Hazleton, where it reaches a junction with PA 93 . Past this junction, PA 309 becomes two-lane North Church Street and leaves the downtown to head past homes. The road curves to the north at the Diamond Avenue intersection and continues through residential areas, gaining

6688-646: A three-lane road with two northbound lanes and one southbound lane and curving to the north away from the Little Schuylkill River. The road heads into Hometown and runs near homes and a few businesses, curving northwest and coming to an intersection with PA 54 . From here, PA 309 widens into a four-lane divided highway and heads past businesses. The route comes to a bridge over the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad's Reading Division line and runs through wooded areas and commercial development. The road runs through forests and curves north, passing to

6864-455: A two-lane road, gaining a second southbound lane as it descends the mountain. The route turns to the north and crosses Little Nescopeck Creek , running through a mix of fields, woods, and development as a two-lane road briefly before becoming four lanes. The road heads northeast and runs through forests to the west of Green Mountain, narrowing to two lanes before becoming three lanes with two southbound lanes and one northbound lane. PA 309 bends to

7040-697: Is a member of the Northeast Corridor Commission , a federal commission on Northeast Corridor rail service. In 2020, annual ridership was 223.5 million individual rides. 17.1 million were rides on SEPTA's suburban network. 26.3 million were rides on SEPTA's "regional rail" network. 180.1 million were rides on SEPTA's "city transit" network. Ridership had decreased 13% from 2014 to 2019 due to many factors. Some explanations mentioned by SEPTA for this decrease are "increased competition, structural changes in ridership patterns, and moderate gas prices." The 24% decrease in ridership from 2019 to 2020

7216-402: Is a regional public transportation authority that operates bus , rapid transit , commuter rail , light rail , and electric trolleybus services for nearly four million people throughout five counties in and around Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . It also manages projects that maintain, replace, and expand its infrastructure, facilities, and vehicles. SEPTA is the major transit provider for

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7392-547: Is in Luzerne County . U.S. Route 309 Truck ( US 309 Truck ) was a truck bypass of the section of US 309 that ran along Lincoln Drive in Philadelphia. US 309 Truck began at US 1 Byp./US 13 Byp. (Hunting Park Avenue) and headed northwest on Germantown Avenue. The truck route ended at US 309, US 422, and US 611 Alt. at the intersection of Germantown Avenue, Mt. Airy Avenue, and Chew Avenue, at which point Germantown Avenue continued northwest as US 309/US 422. US 309 Truck

7568-517: Is in the Lehigh Valley region, and forms the border between Coopersburg to the west and Upper Saucon Township to the east, heading north and fully entering Coopersburg. The route becomes South 3rd Street and passes commercial establishments before it turns into a four-lane divided highway and passes a mix of homes and businesses. Upon crossing State Street, the road name changes to North 3rd Street, running past more development. PA 309 becomes

7744-564: Is provided by other agencies: the PATCO Speedline from Camden County, New Jersey is run by the Delaware River Port Authority , a bi-state agency; NJ Transit operates many bus lines and a commuter rail line to Philadelphia's Center City ; and DART First State runs feeder bus lines to SEPTA stations in the state of Delaware . SEPTA has the seventh-largest U.S. rapid transit system by ridership, and

7920-848: Is sometimes referred to as the Red Arrow Division. On March 1, 1976, SEPTA acquired the transit operations of Schuylkill Valley Lines, known today as the Frontier Division . Meanwhile, SEPTA gradually began to take over the Pennsylvania Railroad and Reading Company commuter trains. SEPTA primarily sought to consolidate the formerly-competing services, leading to severe cutbacks in the mid-1980s. Subsequent proposals have since been made to restore service to Allentown , Bethlehem , West Chester , and Newtown , with support from commuters, local officials, and pro-train advocates. SEPTA's planning department focused on

8096-820: Is the descendant of the Philadelphia Transportation Company . Aside from the two heavy rail lines, the City Transit Division has eight operating depots in this division: five of these depots only operate buses, one is a mixed bus/trackless trolley depot, one is a mixed bus/streetcar depot and one is a streetcar-only facility. The Victory District operates suburban bus and trolley or light rail routes that are based at 69th Street Transportation Center in Upper Darby in Delaware County . Its light rail routes comprise

8272-641: Is the descendant of the six electrified commuter lines of the Reading Company (RDG), the six electrified commuter lines of the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR, later Penn Central: PC), and the new airport line constructed by the City of Philadelphia between 1974 and 1984. With the construction and opening of the Center City Commuter Connection Tunnel in 1984, lines were paired such that a former Pennsylvania Railroad line

8448-506: Is the only U.S. transit authority that operates all five major types of terrestrial transit vehicles: regional commuter rail trains , rapid transit subway and elevated trains , light rail trolleys , trolleybuses , and motorbuses . This title was shared with Boston 's Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority , which also ran ferryboat service, until trolleybuses in Greater Boston were officially discontinued in 2023. SEPTA

8624-566: The Coal Region , passing through Tamaqua before it reaches Hazleton. PA 309 heads into Wyoming Valley and passes through the Wilkes-Barre area on a freeway alignment along I-81 and the North Cross Valley Expressway before turning into a surface road again, where it runs through Dallas before reaching its northern terminus. The surface road sections of the route between Philadelphia and the Lehigh Valley follow

8800-538: The Lansdale/Doylestown , Paoli/Thorndale , and Trenton lines each receiving over 7,000 riders per day. Most of the cars used on the lines were built between 1976 and 2013. After building delays, the first Silverliner V cars were introduced into service on October 29, 2010. These cars represent the first new electric multiple units purchased for the Regional Rail system since the completion of

8976-637: The Lehigh Valley follows the routing of a Native American path now referred to as the "Minsi Trail" that dates back to the 18th century. This path, named after the Minsi Indians , connected the Blue Mountains to areas to the south. A highway called the King's Road was created between Philadelphia and Bethlehem in the 1760s along the route of the Minsi Trail; the first trip along this road

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9152-548: The Media–Sharon Hill Line ) as the "SEPTA Metro", in order to make the system easier to navigate. Under this proposal, new maps, station signage, and line designations would be created. Under the proposed nomenclature, trunk lines would receive a letter and a color, with services having a numeric suffix and service name to make wayfinding easier. Services on the current Market–Frankford Line, for instance, would be called "the L" and colored blue, with local service becoming

9328-666: The Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza , where the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League play. I-81/PA 309 heads through more woodland with some nearby development to the northwest, crossing into Plains Township and curving north. PA 309 splits from I-81 at a partial cloverleaf interchange by heading northwest on the North Cross Valley Expressway, a six-lane freeway, while PA 115 heads east (south) along

9504-805: The Norristown High Speed Line (Route 100) that runs from 69th Street Transportation Center to Norristown Transportation Center and the Media–Sharon Hill Line (Routes 101 and 102). This district is the descendant of the Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company, also known as the Red Arrow Lines. Some residents of the Victory District operating area still refer to this district as the "Red Arrow Division". The Frontier District operates suburban bus routes that are based at

9680-492: The Paoli/Thorndale Line on weekends. On August 29, 2011, SEPTA adjusted the midday service pattern to encourage ridership at Colmar station , which had available parking capacity immediately adjacent to Pennsylvania Route 309 . Previously, every other train turned back at Lansdale; those trains then continued on to call at Colmar before terminating at Link Belt , providing half-hourly service at Colmar between

9856-614: The Railroad Division . Like New York City 's Second Avenue Subway , the original proposal for the Roosevelt Boulevard Subway dates back to 1913, but construction has remained elusive. Instead, after completing the Market–Frankford Line in and around the city stagnated until the early 2000s. On September 30, 1968, SEPTA acquired the Philadelphia Transportation Company (PTC), which operated

10032-586: The Schuylkill Valley Metro , a "cross-county metro" that would re-establish service to Phoenixville , Pottstown , and Reading without requiring the rider to go into Philadelphia. However, ridership projections were dubious, and the Federal Railroad Administration refused to fund the project. Many derelict lines under SEPTA ownership have been converted to rail trails, postponing any restoration proposals for

10208-755: The West Branch Neshaminy Creek and passing through Trewigtown. The route becomes a four-lane divided highway and comes to an intersection with Line Lexington Road/County Line Road in Line Lexington , at which point it turns northwest and forms the border between Hatfield Township in Montgomery County to the southwest and New Britain Township in Bucks County to the northeast. After the Hilltown Pike junction,

10384-403: The "L1 Market–Frankford Local". SEPTA budgeted $ 40 million for the rebranding in June 2023. SEPTA upgraded its website in late 2023 in advance of the planned rollout of SEPTA Metro in 2024. In 2024, general manager Leslie Richards resigned. At its founding in 1968, the board had 11 members. In 1991 the state legislature added four additional members, giving themselves more influence on

10560-520: The 120 Silverliner V cars in the SEPTA regional rail fleet. SEPTA announced that it would take "the rest of the summer" to repair and would reduce the system's capacity by as much as 50%. In addition to regular commuter rail service, the loss of system capacity was also expected to cause transportation issues for the Democratic National Convention being held in Philadelphia on the week of July 25, 2016. SEPTA has three major operating divisions: City Transit, Suburban, and Regional Rail. These divisions reflect

10736-424: The Broad Street Line to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard . As of December 2017 , SEPTA had completed an Environmental Impact Statement to extend the Norristown High Speed Line to the King of Prussia area. In September 2021, SEPTA proposed rebranding their rail transit services, the Market–Frankford Line , Broad Street Line, Subway–Surface trolley lines , Norristown High Speed Line , Route 15 trolley, and

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10912-557: The COVID-19 pandemic, especially during peak hours. Before the pandemic, during peak hours there were 10 trains in the morning (arriving in Center City from open until 9:30 a.m.) and 11 peak trains in the afternoon (leaving Center City between 4 and 7 p.m.). Of the peak morning trains, 5 originated in Doylestown , 2 originated in Colmar , and 3 originated in Lansdale . Five of the peak morning trains were express trains; 3 were express from Fort Washington to Temple University and 2 were express from Jenkintown to Temple University . Of

11088-535: The Fort Washington Expressway and passes between a high-rise apartment complex to the west and Cheltenham High School to the east as it comes to a diamond interchange with the southern terminus of PA 152 at Easton Road southwest of Wyncote . From there, the route heads northwest and passes to the southwest of Arcadia University and to the northeast of Holy Sepulchre Cemetery before it runs near wooded areas and suburban residential development, crossing into Springfield Township . The freeway curves west and comes to

11264-430: The Fort Washington Expressway was never built due to rising construction costs and community opposition. On July 1, 1977, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) halted spending on proposed highway projects, and the Fort Washington Expressway extension was removed from plans by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission. There were also plans to extend the Fort Washington Expressway northwest and connect to

11440-424: The Lansdale/Doylestown Line from Doylestown to Glenside on June 13, 2016. Positive train control was activated from Glenside to Fern Rock on December 12, 2016 and from Fern Rock to 30th Street on January 9, 2017. On April 9, 2020, service on the line was truncated to Lansdale due to the COVID-19 pandemic . Service to Doylestown resumed on June 22, 2020. While service has resumed, it remains more limited than before

11616-419: The New York border, eliminating the concurrencies with US 6 and US 220. This truncation left the northern terminus of US 309 at US 6 in Tunkhannock. As a result of this, the route was entirely located in Pennsylvania and no longer met the U.S. Highway standards set forth by AASHO, which discourages routes within a single state. On October 14, 1967, AASHO approved the elimination of the US 309 designation. US 309

11792-417: The Norristown Transportation Center in Montgomery County and bus lines that serve eastern Bucks County. This district is the descendant of the Schuylkill Valley Lines in the Norristown area and the Trenton-Philadelphia Coach Lines in eastern Bucks County. SEPTA took over Schuylkill Valley Lines operations on March 1, 1976. SEPTA turned over the Bucks County routes (formerly Trenton-Philadelphia Coach Line Routes,

11968-466: The North Cross Valley Expressway to link the Back Mountain region to I-81 in Luzerne County. Construction on the highway began in 1964. The North Cross Valley Expressway was built in stages. The section of the highway from River Street in Plains Township across the Susquehanna River to Rutter Avenue in Kingston was constructed in 1976 and opened in 1977. The section of the North Cross Valley Expressway between Rutter Avenue in Kingston and PA 309 in Luzerne

12144-496: The Pennsylvania Railroad merged with the New York Central railroad to become Penn Central , only to file for bankruptcy on June 21, 1970. Penn Central continued to operate in bankruptcy until 1976, when Conrail took over its assets along with those of several other bankrupt railroads, including the Reading Company. Conrail operated commuter services under contract to SEPTA until January 1, 1983, when SEPTA took over operations and acquired track, rolling stock, and other assets to form

12320-437: The Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) and Pennsylvania Avenue were completely reconstructed and reconfigured while a southbound exit and northbound entrance were added at the Norristown Road interchange. As part of the reconstruction of the interchange between PA 309 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) and Pennsylvania Avenue, Pennsylvania Avenue was extended as a two-way road between Fort Washington and Oreland, with traffic between

12496-467: The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension before the freeway would continue northeast and connect to the southern terminus of the Sellersville Bypass. In 1983, a scaled-down proposal called for the Fort Washington Expressway to be extended north and end at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension near Lansdale . Interchanges along this proposed extension were to be located at Bethlehem Pike, North Wales Road, PA 63, and PA 463. A freeway bypass of to

12672-526: The Reading's own shops. Some of the cars were rebuilt during the 1960s receiving air conditioning, refreshed interior and a new blue paint scheme resulting in their being referred to as "Blueliners". Today, the line uses the Silverliner family of EMU cars which operate throughout SEPTA's Regional Rail system. Service to Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley languished due to the post-World War II surge of

12848-832: The Route 120 was strong it continued to operate under the operations of Reeder's Inc. even after SEPTA pulled the funding source. Krapf purchased the Reeder's operation in 1992 and designated the remaining (West Chester to Coatesville) bus route as Krapf Transit "Route A". Route 205 (Paoli Station to Chesterbrook) was formerly operated by Krapf until late 2019, when it was merged into SEPTA's own Route 206 (Paoli Station to Great Valley). The Railroad Division operates 13 commuter railroad routes that begin in Center City Philadelphia and radiate outwards, terminating in intra-city, suburban and out-of-state locations. This division

13024-427: The SEPTA service area within 3 ⁄ 4 mile (1.2 km) of fixed-route transit service when such service operates. CCT Connect is operated by third-party contractors for SEPTA. Pennsylvania Route 309 Pennsylvania Route 309 ( PA 309 ) is a state highway that runs for 134 miles (216 km) through eastern Pennsylvania . The route runs from an interchange between PA 611 and Cheltenham Avenue on

13200-516: The Silverliner IV order in 1976 and the first such purchase to be made by SEPTA. As of March 19, 2013, all Silverliner V cars are in service and make up almost one-third of the current 400 car Regional Rail fleet, which are replacing the older, aging fleet. In July 2016, a serious structural flaw, including cracks in a weight-bearing beam on a train car's undercarriage, was discovered during an emergency inspection to exist in more than 95% of

13376-562: The Susquehanna River to Kingston, where the two routes followed US 11 along Wyoming Avenue and then Union Street before continuing to Luzerne. Past Luzerne, US 309 split from PA 115 and followed the former alignment of PA 92 to Bowman Creek and the former alignment of PA 29 to US 6 in Tunkhannock. The former alignment of US 309 between Wilkes-Barre and Tunkhannock became an unnumbered road between Wilkes-Barre and Pittston and PA 92 between West Pittston and Tunkhannock. In 1948, US 309

13552-597: The System. On the Lansdale/Doylestown Line, this means 8 peak trains in the morning and 8 peak trains in the afternoon with roughly half express trains. Of the morning, two express from Fort Washington to Temple University , and 3 are express from Jenkintown to Temple University , while in the afternoon, two express from Temple University to Jenkintown and 2 was express from Temple University to Fort Washington . The Lansdale/Doylestown Line makes

13728-407: The Wilkes-Barre area; the route replaced the PA 315 designation along Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard, Spring Street, and Scott Street and the PA 115 designation along Kidder Street. The remaining section of the North Cross Valley Expressway from Wilkes-Barre Boulevard to I-81 was completed on November 9, 1991, with Governor Robert P. Casey in attendance for a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Construction of

13904-501: The afternoon. Of the morning trains, only 4 are express trains; one is express from Fort Washington to Temple University , and 3 are express from Jenkintown to Temple University . Only three of the afternoon trains are express; one is express from Temple University to Jenkintown and 1 was express from Temple University to Fort Washington . Beginning in September 2024, SEPTA is restoring up to 80% pre-pandemic capacity across

14080-553: The alignment of US 309 in Allentown was shifted to follow 7th Street and US 22 along Tilghman Street to 19th Street while the alignment in Wilkes-Barre was shifted at South Street to follow Washington Street, Butler Street, Main Street, and Courtright Street to River Street. By 1940, US 309 was widened to a multilane road between PA 73 in Whitemarsh and Allentown, along the US 209 concurrency between Lehighton and Packerton , for

14256-502: The automobile as well as the opening of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension in 1957. Service north of Lansdale in the non-electrified territory was terminated by SEPTA on July 29, 1981. Trackage north of Quakertown was dismantled after the railbed was leased for use as the interim Saucon Rail Trail. Between 1984–2010 the route was designated R5 Doylestown and R5 Lansdale as part of SEPTA's diametrical reorganization of its lines. Lansdale and Doylestown trains operated through

14432-691: The board. SEPTA is governed by a 15-member board of directors: The members of the SEPTA Board as of March 2023 are: The day-to-day operations of SEPTA are handled by the general manager , who is appointed and hired by the board of directors. The general manager is assisted by nine department heads called assistant general managers. The present general manager is Leslie Richards . Past general managers include Jeffrey Knueppel, Joseph Casey, Faye L. M. Moore, Joseph T. Mack, John "Jack" Leary, Louis Gambaccini , and David L. Gunn . Past acting general managers include James Kilcur and Bill Stead. SEPTA

14608-443: The border between Upper Saucon Township to the west and Coopersburg to the east and passes a couple shopping centers before fully entering Upper Saucon Township and running between woodland and commercial development to the west and farmland to the east as an unnamed road. The route curves to the northwest and heads through wooded areas, splitting into a one-way pair carrying two lanes in each direction and reaching an intersection with

14784-602: The border between the East Oak Lane section of Philadelphia in Philadelphia County to the south and Cheltenham Township in Montgomery County to the north. From this interchange, the route heads northwest on four-lane divided Cheltenham Avenue along the border between Philadelphia and Cheltenham Township. A short distance past the PA 611 interchange, the road comes to an intersection with

14960-764: The border of Philadelphia and Cheltenham Township north to an intersection with PA 29 in Bowman Creek , a village in Monroe Township in Wyoming County . The highway connects Philadelphia and its northern suburbs to Allentown and the Lehigh Valley , and Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre in Wyoming Valley . PA 309 heads north from Philadelphia and becomes a freeway called Fort Washington Expressway through suburban areas in Montgomery County , passing through Fort Washington , before becoming

15136-575: The business route crosses into Hanover Township before entering Wilkes-Barre Township. The road runs past businesses and transitions into a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane, with I-81/PA 309 parallel a short distance to the southeast. At the Casey Avenue intersection, the roadway passes northwest of a park and ride lot. PA 309 Bus. runs through woodland and development before it narrows to two lanes and comes to an interchange with East Northampton Street northwest of Georgetown. At this point,

15312-694: The business route forms the border between Wilkes-Barre to the northwest and Wilkes-Barre Township to the southeast, widening into a four-lane divided highway and running past businesses. The road becomes undivided and bends to the north, fully entering Wilkes-Barre and narrowing to two lanes. PA 309 Bus. turns into Spring Street and curves east, becoming lined with homes. The road heads northeast and widens to four lanes, running past commercial development. The business route becomes Scott Street before it turns east onto four-lane divided Kidder Street. The road runs past more businesses and briefly reenters Wilkes-Barre Township before heading back into Wilkes-Barre and passing to

15488-428: The center of Tamaqua. Past this intersection, the route splits into a one-way pair along Mauch Chunk Street northbound and North Railroad Street southbound, running to the east of the Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad's Reading Division line and passing east of the former Tamaqua station along the railroad line. The one-way pair carries one lane in each direction. Northbound PA 309 shifts to Pine Street and

15664-617: The city and its environs. On January 30, 1970, SEPTA acquired the Philadelphia Suburban Transportation Company, also known as the Red Arrow Lines, which included the Philadelphia and Western Railroad (P&W) route now called the Norristown High Speed Line , the Media–Sharon Hill Line (Routes 101 and 102), and several suburban bus routes in Delaware County. Today, this is known as the Victory Division , though it

15840-458: The city center to the Paoli Line on the ex-Pennsylvania side of the system. In the early 2000s, upgrades were made to several stations to make them ADA-accessible by giving them elevated platforms. In 2005, construction began on a new station at Fort Washington which was moved 300 feet to the south. In 2007, construction began to reconstruct the platforms at North Wales station and build

16016-410: The city of Philadelphia and four surrounding counties within the Philadelphia metropolitan area: Delaware , Montgomery , Bucks , and Chester . It is a state-created authority, with the majority of its board appointed by the five counties it serves. While several SEPTA commuter rail lines terminate in the nearby states of Delaware and New Jersey , additional service to Philadelphia from those states

16192-540: The commuter rail services formerly operated by Conrail under contract and reorganized them as Regional Rail. This division operates 13 lines serving more than 150 stations covering most of the five-county southeastern Pennsylvania region. It also runs trains to Wilmington and Newark in Delaware and Trenton and West Trenton in New Jersey . Daily ridership on the regional rail network averaged 58,713 in 2023, with

16368-565: The creation of the U.S. Highway System in 1926, US 309, a spur of US 9 , was designated to run from US 120 / PA 13 in Philadelphia north to US 11/ PA 19 in Wilkes-Barre. From Philadelphia, the route followed Bethlehem Pike north through Spring House, Montgomeryville, Sellersville, and Quakertown to Center Valley. From here, US 309 continued northwest to Allentown and passed through the city along Jordan Street, 5th Street, Auburn Street, Lehigh Street , 7th Street, Hamilton Street , 17th Street, Liberty Street, and 19th Street. North of Allentown,

16544-674: The creek between Larksville Mountain to the west and Bunker Hill to the east. The route runs past residences and businesses in Trucksville , becoming a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane. PA 309 continues north-northwest through wooded areas of development on North Memorial Highway, turning into a divided highway in Shavertown and crossing Center Street. The route becomes a four-lane undivided road and heads into Dallas Township , passing under Overbrook Avenue. The road continues past commercial development as Memorial Highway and gains

16720-508: The different transit and railroad operations that SEPTA has assumed. SEPTA also offers CCT Connect paratransit service. The City Transit Division operates routes mostly within Philadelphia , including buses , subway–surface trolleys , one surface trolley line , the Market–Frankford Line , and the Broad Street Line . SEPTA City Transit Division surface routes include bus and trackless trolley lines. Some city division routes extend into Delaware, Montgomery, and Bucks counties. This division

16896-636: The east of Hazleton Municipal Airport and heads past residences and businesses in Milnesville , briefly becoming a four-lane divided highway at the Airport Beltway/Louis Schiavo Drive intersection. The route turns into an undivided road again and runs through wooded areas with some homes, passing to the west of a coal mine and curving northeast. PA 309 enters Butler Township and becomes South Hunter Highway, heading through forested areas as it traverses Buck Mountain as

17072-474: The east of a coal mine before running past homes in Audenried . PA 309 heads into Hazle Township in Luzerne County , which is in the Wyoming Valley region, and becomes South Church Street. The route runs past coal mines and widens to four lanes, curving to the north. The road passes through wooded areas with some homes and businesses and comes to an intersection with PA 424 , where it briefly turns into

17248-456: The entire length of US 309 was paved while the state highway was under construction between Quakertown and Center Valley and for a distance to the north of Hazleton. In 1928, the present-day alignment of PA 309 between Schnecksville and Hazleton was designated as part of PA 29 while part of PA 92 was designated along the present-day section of PA 309 from southeast of Dallas north to Bowman Creek, replacing PA 62. At this time, this portion of PA 29

17424-547: The entrance of Sand Springs. The road curves to the north-northeast and traverses forested Nescopeck Mountain , widening to four lanes as it comes to the summit in Nescopeck Pass and bends north. The route heads into Dorrance Township and becomes South Mountain Boulevard, heading northeast to descend Nescopeck Mountain with one northbound lane and two southbound lanes. PA 309 switches to two northbound lanes and one southbound lane and heads into Wright Township , becoming

17600-406: The fifth-largest overall transit system in the U.S. with about 302 million annual unlinked trips as of fiscal year 2018. It controls 290 active stations, over 450 miles (720 km) of track, 2,350 revenue vehicles, and 196 routes. It also oversees shared-ride services in Philadelphia and ADA services across the region, which are operated by third-party contractors, Amtrak, and NJ Transit. SEPTA

17776-898: The following station stops after leaving the Center City Commuter Connection ; stations indicated with a gray background are closed. Between FY 2013–FY 2019 yearly ridership on the Lansdale/Doylestown Line ranged between 4.6–5.0 million before collapsing during the COVID-19 pandemic . 40°14′35″N 75°17′07″W  /  40.24305°N 75.28537°W  / 40.24305; -75.28537 SEPTA [REDACTED] Geographically-accurate map of SEPTA and connecting rail transit services as of 2005. Includes Regional Rail , rapid transit, and selected interurban and suburban trolley lines. Does not include SEPTA's subway-surface lines or Girard streetcar. The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority ( SEPTA )

17952-523: The foreseeable future. Proposals have also been made for increased service on existing lines, including later evenings and Sundays to Wilmington , Delaware , and Newark . Maryland's MARC commuter rail system is considering extending its service as far as Newark , which would allow passengers to connect directly between SEPTA and MARC. Other recent proposals have also focused on extending and enhancing SEPTA's other transit services. Senator of Pennsylvania, Bob Casey , has supported recent proposals expanding

18128-480: The former alignment between Fogelsville and Pleasant Corners. In 1963, the northern terminus of US 309 was cut back to US 6 in Tunkhannock. US 309 was decommissioned in 1968 and replaced with PA 309. In the 1980s, the termini of PA 309 were moved to their present locations. PA 309 was realigned to follow I-81 and North Cross Valley Expressway through the Wilkes-Barre area in 1991. PA 309 begins at an interchange between PA 611 ( Old York Road ) and Cheltenham Avenue on

18304-419: The former alignment between Wilkes-Barre and Pittston becoming unnumbered and the portion between West Pittston and Tunkhannock designated as part of PA 92 . In the 1950s, US 309 was rerouted between Allentown and Hazleton to follow US 22 west to Fogelsville before turning north to Pleasant Corners and following present-day PA 309 to Hazleton. Most of the former US 309 between Allentown and Hazleton became

18480-427: The former alignment of US 309. The concurrent PA 29 designation was removed from US 309 between Allentown and Schnecksville in 1966. US 222 was also removed from US 309 in the 1960s. The north end of US 309 between Tunkhannock and Waverly, New York, had always been shared with other U.S. Highways (US 6 and US 220). On June 19, 1963, AASHO approved the removal of the US 309 designation between US 6 in Tunkhannock and

18656-483: The former portion of PA 309 along Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard, Spring Street, and Scott Street while an extended PA 115 was designated onto the former portion of PA 309 along Kidder Street, Butler Street, Main Street, Courtright Street, River Street, and Pierce Street. By 1989, the northern terminus of PA 309 was cut back from US 6 in Tunkhannock to its current location, eliminating the concurrency with PA 29 between Bowman Creek and Tunkhannock. Also by this time, PA 309

18832-524: The freeway enters Lower Macungie Township and runs past commercial development to the southwest of the Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom amusement park. PA 309 splits from I-78 at a partial interchange and continues north along a four-lane freeway, passing through a small corner of Upper Macungie Township before entering South Whitehall Township again. The route continues north past farmland with some residential and commercial development and comes to

19008-546: The freeway passes over a Reading Blue Mountain and Northern Railroad line and the Susquehanna River , at which point it enters Forty Fort and comes to a northbound exit and southbound entrance at Rutter Avenue that provides indirect access to US 11 . PA 309 continues into Kingston and runs near residential and commercial development, reaching a southbound exit and northbound entrance at US 11. The route widens to six lanes and runs near more development, passing over

19184-495: The gap in the mountain east of the creek. The median narrows and PA 309 crosses Pine Creek as it continues northwest, passing southwest of a section of the Pinchot State Forest . PA 309 turns north and crosses into Ashley , where it comes to an interchange with I-81. At this point, PA 309 heads northeast concurrent with I-81 on a four-lane freeway while PA 309 Bus. continues north toward Wilkes-Barre . Within

19360-576: The highway between Cheltenham Avenue and PA 73 was rebuilt between March 2005 and November 2008. The section of PA 309 between Highland Avenue and PA 63 was reconstructed between July 2007 and early 2011. The new ramps at the Norristown Road interchange opened on December 20, 2010. On November 11, 2019, work began on a project to improve the section of PA 309 along the Sellersville Bypass in Bucks County by rehabilitating pavement and reconstructing structures. Construction on this improvement project

19536-419: The highway cost $ 100 million. Upon the completion of the final section of the North Cross Valley Expressway, PA 309 was rerouted to follow I-81 and the North Cross Valley Expressway through the Wilkes-Barre area, while PA 309 Bus. was designated onto the former alignment of PA 309 along Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard, Spring Street, and Scott Street and replaced PA 115 along Kidder Street between Scott Street and

19712-411: The highway heads north of Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest and crosses into South Whitehall Township , passing between residential areas to the north and farm fields to the south and curving northwest to come to a partial cloverleaf interchange with the northern terminus of US 222 and the southern terminus of PA 222 at Hamilton Boulevard, which provides access to Allentown and Reading . From here,

19888-417: The interchange with the North Cross Valley Expressway. PennDOT undertook a $ 375 million project to reconstruct and improve the section of PA 309 running along the Fort Washington Expressway between Cheltenham Avenue and PA 63 in Montgomery County. The project rebuilt the roadway and shoulders, reconstructed bridges, improved ramps at interchanges, and constructed sound walls. The interchanges with PA 152 and

20064-409: The interchange's right-of-way. The route follows the North Cross Valley Expressway through wooded areas with adjacent development, coming to a partial cloverleaf interchange with the northern terminus of PA 309 Bus. and the southern terminus of PA 315 . At this point, the freeway enters the Wilkes-Barre and narrows to four lanes, running near homes and businesses and curving northwest. PA 309 passes over

20240-454: The interchange, the highway crosses back into Hanover Township before entering Wilkes-Barre Township . I-81/PA 309 runs near residential and commercial development, with PA 309 Bus. closely parallel to the northwest. The freeway bends farther from the business route and passes through Georgetown , running through wooded areas and coming to a trumpet interchange which provides access to Highland Park Boulevard, serving multiple shopping centers and

20416-819: The largest trolley system in the United States. NRG (limited) Darby Transit Center (limited) SEPTA lists 115 bus routes, not including about two dozen school trips, with most routes in the City of Philadelphia proper. SEPTA generally employs lettered, one-digit, and two-digit route numbering for its City Division routes; 90-series and 100-series routes for its Suburban Division routes; 200-series routes for its Regional Rail connector routes; 300-series routes for other specialized or third-party contract routes; and 400-series routes for limited-service buses to schools within Philadelphia. Trolleybuses , or trackless trolleys as they are called by SEPTA, operate on routes 59 , 66 , and 75 . Service resumed in spring 2008 after

20592-539: The line has, since 1985, been directly connected to the ex-PRR/Penn Central side by the Center City Commuter Rail Tunnel . Unlike the ex-PRR/Penn Central Paoli/Thorndale Line it is often paired with for through-service, the ex-RDG line was not as heavily built, as the RDG segregated its through-freight and passenger movements. While the four-track section between the tunnel and Wayne Junction and

20768-557: The morning and afternoon rush hours. On December 18, 2011, SEPTA eliminated weekend service at Link Belt and New Britain due to low ridership. In the fall of 2012, New Britain was added back to the weekend schedule as a flag stop. A large parking garage opened at Lansdale station on April 17, 2017, offering space for over 600 vehicles. 9th Street station opened nearby in 2015 as an alternate parking location during construction, and remains open as part of planned transit-oriented development . SEPTA activated positive train control on

20944-447: The mountain, the freeway heads into Allentown and passes near neighborhoods, coming to a northbound exit ramp serving Emaus Avenue. The highway runs near industrial areas and passes over Norfolk Southern's Reading Line before it comes to a partial cloverleaf interchange at Lehigh Street . I-78/PA 309 heads south of Allentown Queen City Municipal Airport and runs near residential areas before running through woodland, passing through

21120-502: The north again and becomes four-lane undivided North Hunter Highway, running through wooded areas with some homes and businesses. The road crosses Nescopeck Creek and passes through Honey Hole and Edgewood. The route becomes a divided highway and comes to a diamond interchange with I-80 . Past this interchange, PA 309 becomes a three-lane undivided road with two northbound lanes and one southbound lane and runs through wooded areas with some residences and commercial establishments, passing by

21296-512: The north near Kunkle and crossing Leonard Creek . The route enters Monroe Township in Wyoming County and continues through forests with some fields and homes to the west of Leonard Creek as an unnamed road, bending northwest and passing through Beaumont. PA 309 runs through more rural areas and comes to its northern terminus at an intersection with PA 29 near Bowman Creek , where the road continues north as part of PA 29 toward Tunkhannock . The portion of PA 309 between Philadelphia and

21472-531: The north of Hazleton were completed by 1930 while the concurrent PA 12, PA 312, and PA 130 designations were removed from US 309 by 1930. In 1929, the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) approved extending US 309 north from Wilkes-Barre to South Waverly . In 1930, US 309 was extended north from Wilkes-Barre to NY 17 (Chemung Street) in Waverly, New York . From Wilkes-Barre,

21648-407: The north of a golf course before it comes to a junction with the northern terminus of PA 143 east of New Tripoli , where it briefly becomes a divided highway. At this point, the route turns to the northwest as an undivided road and passes through farmland with some trees, homes, and businesses, crossing Ontelaunee Creek . The road gains a second northbound lane further to the north. PA 309 curves to

21824-585: The north of the Wyoming Valley Mall . PA 309 Bus. comes to its northern terminus at a partial cloverleaf interchange with the PA 309 freeway, where the road continues northeast as PA 315. PA 309 Bus. was designated in 1991 after PA 309 was realigned to run through the Wilkes-Barre area on I-81 and the North Cross Valley Expressway. PA 309 Bus. replaced PA 309 along Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard, Spring Street, and Scott Street and PA 115 along Kidder Street. Major intersections The entire route

22000-670: The north-northwest and continues into North Whitehall Township , where it passes more residences and a few businesses along with some rural land. The route briefly widens into a four-lane divided highway and runs through more developed areas as a three-lane road with a center left-turn lane, passing to the east of Lehigh Carbon Community College and the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute . PA 309 becomes two lanes again and runs past homes and businesses in Schnecksville , where it curves northwest and comes to an intersection with

22176-559: The north. The truck route follows East Pumping Station Road, California Road, and West Pumping Station Road. Pennsylvania Route 309 Business ( PA 309 Bus. ) is a 4.6-mile (7.4 km) business route of PA 309 that runs through the Wilkes-Barre area in Luzerne County. PA 309 Bus. begins at an interchange with I-81 and PA 309 in Ashley, heading northeast on four-lane divided Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard. Within this interchange,

22352-491: The northeast and Telford to the southwest. Past this interchange, the freeway heads through wooded areas and crosses the East Branch Perkiomen Creek before it passes near farmland and curves north. PA 309 runs through woodland with some farm fields and comes to a diamond interchange at Lawn Avenue, which heads west to provide access to PA 563 west of Perkasie , before passing under PA 563. From here,

22528-513: The northern terminus of Broad Street . PA 309 continues northwest as a four-lane undivided road through urban residential and business areas, passing to the north of Northwood Cemetery . The road crosses Washington Lane and heads to the south of Greenleaf at Cheltenham shopping center before it comes to an intersection with Ogontz Avenue north of the West Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, with SEPTA 's Cheltenham-Ogontz Bus Loop located on

22704-533: The northwest and coming to an intersection with the northern terminus of PA 437 in Fairview. The road runs through forested areas as it passes through Solomon Gap in Penobscot Mountain , narrowing to two lanes before turning into a four-lane divided highway. The route curves north and crosses Solomon Creek as it enters Hanover Township , with the median widening as it continues to wind north through

22880-473: The northwest corner of the intersection. At this point, PA 309 turns north-northwest onto four-lane divided Ogontz Avenue and fully enters Cheltenham Township in Montgomery County, passing businesses as it heads to the west of the shopping center. The route intersects Limekiln Pike and assumes that name, running near suburban residential areas in Cedarbrook . PA 309 becomes a four-lane freeway called

23056-417: The peak afternoon trains, 5 terminated at Lansdale , 1 terminated at Link Belt , and 5 terminated at Doylestown . Five of the peak afternoon trains were express trains; 4 were express from Temple University to Fort Washington and 1 was express from Temple University to North Wales . Through the first half of 2024, during the same peak hours, there are only 7 trains in the morning and 6 peak trains in

23232-699: The pilot trackless trolley arrived for testing in June 2007. The vehicles were delivered between February and August 2008. Trackless trolley service resumed on Routes 66 and 75 on April 14, 2008, and on Route 59 the following day, but was initially limited to just one or two vehicles on each route, as new trolley buses gradually replaced the motorbuses serving the routes over a period of several weeks. The SEPTA board voted in October 2006 not to order additional vehicles for Routes 29 and 79, and those routes permanently became non-electric. On January 1, 1983, SEPTA took over

23408-532: The present-day alignment of PA 309 and the stretch across Blue Mountain and between PA 925 in South Tamaqua and US 209 in Tamaqua widened to a multilane road. The section of PA 115 between Wilkes-Barre and PA 92 near Luzerne that would later become part of US 309 was widened to a multilane road while the section of PA 92 between north of Dallas and PA 29 in Bowman Creek was paved. In the 1940s, US 309

23584-608: The realignment of PA 29. By 1960, US 309 was widened to a multilane road between Hazleton and Mountain Top, between PA 415 in Dallas and Kunkle, and along the US 6 concurrency between north of Tunkhannock and PA 87 in Russel Hill and was upgraded to a divided highway along the PA 443 concurrency south of Tamaqua, between PA 45 in Hometown and McAdoo, between Audenried and Hazleton, along multiple short stretches between Hazleton and Mountain Top, and between Mountain Top and Ashley, and for

23760-747: The road passes between the Montgomery Mall to the west and the Airport Square shopping center to the east. The two routes head north past more businesses five-lane road with a center left-turn lane past the North Wales Road intersection. PA 309/US 202 Bus. turns into a four-lane divided highway again and continues into Montgomeryville . Here, the roadway comes to the Five Points intersection, where PA 463 crosses PA 309/US 202 Bus. and US 202 Bus. splits from PA 309 by heading northeast onto Doylestown Road. Past this intersection,

23936-490: The road runs along the border between Hatfield Township, Montgomery County, to the southwest and Hilltown Township , Bucks County, to the northeast and heads northwest through commercial development and some fields as a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane. In Unionville , the route intersects Unionville Pike, which heads southwest toward Hatfield . PA 309 leaves the North Penn Valley region and becomes

24112-526: The road runs northwest through wooded areas with some farm fields. PA 309 narrows to two lanes and crosses Lizard Creek before it comes to an intersection with PA 895 in Snyders . The road continues northwest through forested areas with some fields and residential and commercial development, passing through Leibeyville. The route curves to the west and widens to four lanes before it comes to an intersection with PA 443 , at which point that route heads west for

24288-564: The road. PA 309 enters Quakertown upon crossing Beaver Run and runs past more businesses as a five-lane road containing a center turn lane. The route becomes a divided highway for a short distance to the south of the Trumbauersville Road intersection before turning into an undivided highway, briefly gaining a median at the Park Avenue intersection before the median transitions into a center left-turn lane. PA 309 turns into

24464-776: The route continued west along Walbert Avenue before turning north at Walbert and passing through Schnecksville, Neffs , and Slatington . US 309 crossed the Lehigh River and continued north along the east bank of the river through Palmerton and Bowmanstown to Weissport , where it intersected US 209. At this point, US 309 headed west concurrent with US 209 through Lehighton , Mauch Chunk, Nesquehoning, Lansford , and Coaldale to Tamaqua. At Tamaqua, US 309 split from US 209 and headed north through McAdoo, Hazleton, Mountain Top, and Ashley to Wilkes-Barre. In Wilkes-Barre, US 309 followed Hazle Avenue, Park Avenue, South Street, and River Street to its terminus at US 11/PA 19. In 1927, PA 12

24640-442: The route continues to follow the one-way streets past residences and a few businesses. Both directions of PA 309 rejoin along an unnamed three-lane road with a center left-turn lane and crosses the Little Schuylkill River, heading into forested areas to the east of the river and to the west of Nesquehoning Mountain and curving northwest. The route leaves Tamaqua for Rush Township and the name changes to Claremont Avenue, becoming

24816-668: The route followed the former alignment of US 11 along River Street and River Road to Pittston . US 309 ran northwest concurrent with US 11 to West Pittston , where it continued northwest along the former alignment of PA 29 parallel to the Susquehanna River to an intersection with US 6 in Osterhout. From here, US 309 ran northwest concurrent with US 6 through Tunkhannock and Wyalusing to Towanda . In Towanda, US 309 split from US 6 and headed north concurrent with US 220 through Athens , Sayre , and South Waverly before US 220/US 309 crossed into New York and ended at NY 17. By 1930, PA 29

24992-434: The route heads near more farms and woods and curves northwest, running through dense forests and bending north. PA 309 comes to a southbound exit and northbound entrance with Bethlehem Pike, at which point the Sellersville Bypass freeway ends. From this point, the route heads north-northwest through Rich Hill and crosses into Richland Township , where it becomes four-lane undivided South West End Boulevard and passes through

25168-402: The route transitions into a five-lane road with a center left-turn lane and runs north past more businesses with some wooded residential development, bending northwest. The road enters Hatfield Township and reaches Colmar , where it intersects Broad Street and crosses SEPTA's Lansdale/Doylestown Line at-grade to the west of Colmar station . PA 309 continues past commercial development, crossing

25344-650: The route. Since ridership patterns have changed since the implementation of this plan, SEPTA removed the R-numbers from the lines in July 2010 and instead refers to the lines by the names of their termini. The out-of-state terminals offer connections with other transit agencies. The Trenton Line offers connections in Trenton, New Jersey to NJ Transit (NJT) or Amtrak for travel to New York City . Plans exist to restore NJT service to West Trenton, New Jersey , thus offering

25520-454: The south end of the Sellersville Bypass, the north end of the Sellersville Bypass and the south end of the freeway bypass of Allentown in Lanark, and Luzerne and PA 415 in Dallas. By 1980, PA 309 was realigned through the Wilkes-Barre area to follow PA 315 along Blackman Street, Hazle Avenue, Park Avenue, South Street, River Street, Market Street, and US 11; an extended PA 315 was designated onto

25696-762: The southern terminus of PA 378 in Center Valley . Past this intersection, the northbound direction of PA 309 passes homes as Main Street, heading south of Southern Lehigh High School , while the southbound direction runs through wooded areas with nearby residential subdivisions along an unnamed road. Both directions of the route rejoin and continue northwest through residential and commercial development and some woods as an unnamed four-lane divided highway. The road runs through farmland and residential subdivisions before it crosses Saucon Creek and reaches an intersection with jughandles at West Saucon Valley Road/Center Valley Parkway. Past this intersection, PA 309 becomes

25872-597: The southern terminus of PA 873 . Here, PA 309 turns to the west and heads northwest near residential developments. The road bends west and winds through a mix of farmland and woodland, heading into Heidelberg Township . The route runs through more rural land with occasional development and reaches Pleasant Corners , where it crosses Jordan Creek and comes to an intersection with the northern terminus of PA 100 . PA 309 continues west through agricultural areas with some woods and homes and passes south of Northwestern Lehigh High School as it enters Lynn Township . The road heads to

26048-487: The two communities no longer having to travel along PA 309 between the two sections of Pennsylvania Avenue. The section of the highway between PA 73 and Highland Avenue was reconstructed between February 2004 and November 2006. The interchange between PA 309 and the Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276) and Pennsylvania Avenue in Fort Washington was reconstructed between January 2005 and November 2008. The portion of

26224-453: The two-track section from Wayne Junction to Jenkintown are grade-separated, the two-track section from Jenkintown to Lansdale and the single track from Lansdale to Doylestown has both at-grade railroad crossings and over- and underpasses. Electrified service between Philadelphia and Hatboro , Lansdale, Doylestown and West Trenton was opened on July 26, 1931. Equipment consisted of dark green painted electric multiple unit cars built at

26400-540: The west and Luzerne to the east. At this interchange, the North Cross Valley Expressway ends and PA 309 becomes four-lane at-grade divided South Memorial Highway, crossing Toby Creek again and heading into the Back Mountain region of Luzerne County. The route runs through Kingston Township before heading across Toby Creek back into Courtdale and curving west. The road crosses the creek back into Kingston Township and heads northwest through forested areas alongside

26576-481: The west of Allentown from US 309 in Lanark to US 22 near Walbert was built in 1958. Upon completion of this bypass, US 309 was rerouted to follow it from Lanark north to US 22, PA 29 was designated onto the bypass north of Cedar Crest Boulevard and continued north as a divided highway to north of Walbert, and US 222 was designated onto the bypass from Hamilton Boulevard to its terminus at US 22. The former alignment of US 309 through Allentown became unnumbered until it

26752-502: The west of Broad Mountain. PA 309 bends to the north-northwest and passes through Still Creek and Ginther. The route heads back into wooded areas and crosses into Kline Township , curving to the northeast and north along Mile Hill Road. The road runs north-northeast and passes to the west of a large coal mine before it comes to a trumpet interchange with a ramp providing access to I-81 to the west. Past this interchange, PA 309 heads through forests with some development before passing under

26928-718: The west of a quarry past the Hartman Road intersection. PA 309 passes more businesses as it continues along the four-lane divided highway and comes to an interchange with the US 202 parkway consisting of a ramp from northbound PA 309 to northbound US 202 and a two-way quadrant ramp on the northwest side of the interchange providing all other movements; PA 309 also crosses under the US 202 Parkway Trail that follows US 202. The road intersects US 202 Bus. (Dekalb Pike) and Upper State Road in Montgomery Square . At this point, US 202 Bus. becomes concurrent with PA 309 and

27104-421: The west-northwest and heads through Walbert , where it crosses Norfolk Southern's C&F Secondary at-grade and narrows to two lanes. The route becomes a two-lane undivided road and runs near businesses, crossing under I-476. PA 309 curves north and heads through a mix of farm fields, woodland, and homes and businesses, passing through Guthsville, where it crosses Jordan Creek , and Orefield . The road bends to

27280-543: The west-southwest and ascends forested Blue Mountain . At the summit of Blue Mountain, PA 309 turns into a two-lane road and enters West Penn Township in Schuylkill County , where the name becomes West Penn Pike and it crosses the Appalachian Trail . The route heads west and descends the mountain as a three-lane road with one northbound lane and two southbound lanes. At the base of Blue Mountain,

27456-415: Was a replacement for the previous trolley service operated by West Chester Traction. SEPTA replaced two of the routes with their own bus service. Route 122 service was replaced by SEPTA's Route 91 in July 1982, after only one year of service. Route 91 was eliminated due to lack of ridership. Route 121 was replaced by SEPTA's Route 92 in October 1982. This service continues to operate today. Since ridership on

27632-474: Was completed in 2023. There are plans to convert the intersection with West Saucon Valley Road/Center Valley Parkway in Upper Saucon Township into an interchange. Construction is planned to begin in the later part of 2026, with completion expected in 2030. Pennsylvania Route 309 Truck ( PA 309 Truck ) is a truck route that provides access from PA 212 to PA 309, bypassing Quakertown to

27808-432: Was constructed in 1980. During construction of this section in 1979, a coal vein was discovered. In 1982, construction began to complete the bridge linking the terminus of the expressway at River Street to Conyngham Avenue. By 1989, PA 309 was rerouted to follow Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard, Spring Street, Scott Street, Kidder Street, Conyngham Avenue, Wilkes-Barre Boulevard, and the North Cross Valley Expressway through

27984-426: Was coupled with a former Reading line. Seven such pairings were created and given route designations numbered R1 through R8 (with R4 not used). As a result, the routes were originally designed so that trains would proceed from one outlying terminal to Center City, stopping at 30th Street Station , Suburban Station and Jefferson , formerly Market East Station, then proceed out to the other outlying terminal assigned to

28160-536: Was created by the Pennsylvania legislature on August 17, 1963, to coordinate government funding to various transit and railroad companies in southeastern Pennsylvania. It commenced on February 18, 1964. On November 1, 1965, SEPTA absorbed two predecessor agencies: By 1966, the Reading Company and Pennsylvania Railroad commuter railroad lines were operated under contract to SEPTA. On February 1, 1968,

28336-571: Was decommissioned in February 1968 and was replaced by PA 309. Signs were changed by the end of the month. In 1967, work began on a freeway for US 309 to bypass Sellersville from just north of the border between Montgomery and Bucks counties to just south of Quakertown. This bypass opened in 1969 as part of PA 309. By 1970, PA 309 was upgraded to a divided highway between the north end of the Fort Washington Expressway and US 202 (Dekalb Pike) in Montgomeryville, US 202/PA 463 in Montgomeryville and

28512-518: Was dedicated as the Joseph W. Hunter Highway in honor of the first highway commissioner in Pennsylvania. By 1950, US 309 was widened to a multilane road for a short stretch north of Philadelphia, along its new alignment between Ashley and Wilkes-Barre, between Luzerne and PA 415 in Dallas, and along the US 6 concurrency between PA 87 in Russel Hill and PA 267 in Meshoppen while PA 29 was widened to

28688-551: Was designated as Legislative Route 153 between Philadelphia and Allentown, Legislative Route 163 between Allentown and Mauch Chunk (present-day Jim Thorpe ), part of Legislative Route 162 between Mauch Chunk and Nesquehoning , and Legislative Route 170 between Nesquehoning and Wilkes-Barre. Meanwhile, the present-day corridor of PA 309 between Schnecksville and Tamaqua was designated as Legislative Route 226, between Tamaqua and Hazleton as Legislative Route 185, and between Wilkes-Barre and Bowman Creek as part of Legislative Route 11. With

28864-499: Was designated as a southern extension of PA 145 in 1991. On June 18, 1962, AASHO approved the realignment of US 309 to the modern-day alignment of PA 309 between US 22 near Allentown and Pleasant Corners, following PA 29 between Allentown and the intersection with present-day PA 873 in Schnecksville before heading west between Schnecksville and Pleasant Corners. PA 100 was extended north from Fogelsville to Pleasant Corners along

29040-481: Was designated by 1950. The truck route was decommissioned in the 1950s, being replaced with US 422 Alt. north of Washington Lane. The entire route was in Philadelphia , Philadelphia County . U.S. Route 309 Bypass ( US 309 Byp. ) was a bypass of a portion of US 309 in the northern section of Allentown The route began at US 22/US 309 (Tilghman Street), heading north of 12th Street briefly before turning northwest onto Roth Avenue. US 309 Byp. ended at US 309 at

29216-446: Was designated concurrent with US 309 between Philadelphia and Center Valley while PA 22 was designated concurrent with US 309 between US 22/ PA 3 in Allentown and US 11/PA 19 in Wilkes-Barre. The section of present-day PA 309 between southeast of Dallas and Bowman Creek was designated as part of the northern section of PA 62 in 1927. By 1928, US 309 was shifted to a more direct alignment between Nesquehoning and Hazleton. By this time,

29392-485: Was extended north to New York State Route 17 (NY 17) in Waverly, New York , heading north to Pittston and Tunkhannock before following US 6 between Tunkhannock and Towanda and US 220 between Towanda and Waverly. By 1940, US 309 was extended south to US 1 Bypass (US 1 Byp.)/ US 13 Byp. /US 422 at Ridge Avenue and City Line Avenue in Philadelphia. In the 1940s, US 309 was realigned between Ashley and Tunkhannock to Wilkes-Barre, Dallas, and Bowman Creek, with

29568-533: Was made by stage wagon in 1763. In 1804, a turnpike called the Bethlehem Turnpike was created to run between Philadelphia and Bethlehem. The turnpike was authorized to collect tolls in 1834, with many of its tollgates erected. The Bethlehem Pike became a free road in 1904 and tolls were removed in 1910. Following the passage of the Sproul Road Bill in 1911, what would become US 309

29744-450: Was mostly attributable to the impact of government-implemented lock-downs in response to the COVID-19 pandemic that began in mid-March 2020. SEPTA's public services consist of three main networks: SEPTA Metro, bus operations, and regional rail. As of 2024 , SEPTA is in the process of rolling out SEPTA Metro, a unified brand for its urban rail transit services, including rapid transit , trolley , and interurban services. SEPTA has

29920-619: Was owned by Conrail between 1976 and 1983 and by the Reading Railroad before 1976. The main part of the line, from Philadelphia north to Lansdale , was part of the Reading Railroad's northbound route from Philadelphia to Bethlehem , and then to Wilkes-Barre and Scranton . Originally arriving and departing at the former Reading Terminal , now part of the Pennsylvania Convention Center ,

30096-635: Was paved between US 309 in Schnecksville and PA 143 in New Tripoli and between PA 925 south of Tamaqua and US 309 in Hazleton while PA 92 was paved to a point north of Dallas. In 1928, PA 312 was designated concurrent with US 309 between PA 12 in Center Valley and US 22/PA 3 in Allentown while PA 130 replaced the concurrent PA 22 designation north of Allentown. The under construction portions of US 309 between Quakertown and Center Valley and to

30272-518: Was planned to continue south from its current terminus in Wyncote into Philadelphia and intersect US 1 ( Roosevelt Expressway ) before terminating at a proposed Girard Avenue Expressway . In 1969, it was estimated the freeway between Wyncote and US 1 would cost $ 50 million and be completed by 1975 while the freeway between US 1 and the Girard Avenue Expressway would cost $ 44 million and be completed by 1985. The southern extension of

30448-436: Was rerouted to follow Cheltenham Avenue to reach its current southern terminus at PA 611 instead of following Ogontz Avenue and Stenton Avenue to PA 611. By 1989, PA 309 was upgraded to a divided highway along the concurrency with US 202 (now US 202 Bus.) in Montgomeryville. In 1989, the PA 309 freeway bypass of Allentown between Lanark and north of US 222 became part of I-78. On June 21, 1960, plans were announced to construct

30624-626: Was rerouted to follow Fort Washington Expressway before continuing south along Ogontz Avenue and Stenton Avenue to end at US 611 (now PA 611) at Broad Street in North Philadelphia ; US 309 replaced the PA 152 designation along Ogontz Avenue and Stenton Avenue. There were plans made by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission from the late 1940s until the mid 1970s to extend the Fort Washington Expressway south to Center City Philadelphia . The freeway

30800-415: Was shifted to a new alignment between Ashley and Tunkhannock. From Ashley, US 309 was realigned to head through Wilkes-Barre along newly-built Wilkes-Barre Township Boulevard, Spring Street, and Scott Street to PA 115, where it became concurrent with PA 115 along Kidder Street, Butler Street, Main Street, Courtright Street, and River Street to Pierce Street. From here US 309/PA 115 followed Pierce Street across

30976-436: Was under construction from Blue Mountain to south of Tamaqua. The southern terminus of US 309 was extended from its previous location at US 422 ( Germantown Avenue ) in the Chestnut Hill section of Philadelphia to US 1 Byp. / US 13 Byp. /US 422 at Ridge Avenue and City Line Avenue in Philadelphia by 1940, following US 422 Byp. along Germantown Avenue before heading south along Allens Lane and Lincoln Drive . By 1940,

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