Longterm Construction Underway At Westmont, Collingswood PATCO Stations

WESTMONT, NJ — Longterm construction is underway to replace aging infrastructure at PATCO's Westmont and Collingswood stations.

PATCO is upgrading the viaducts — the bridge-like structures that elevate train tracks over roadways — between the stations, which were built in the late 1960s.

The $8.7 million project began last week and is expected to run until late 2027, according to the Delaware River Port Authority, which operates PATCO.

"These stations have already seen major upgrades in recent years, including improvements to platforms, roofs, facilities, and track areas," the DRPA said in an advisory. "This next phase focuses on rehabilitating and protecting the remaining portions of the stations- specifically sixty-one spans of the superstructure’s pre-stressed beams."

Train service won't be impacted, but there will be road closures throughout the project. Parking areas by the tracks will have temporary rolling closures.

Neighbors may also hear construction noise, but crews are taking noise-reduction measures to keep it at a minimum, the DRPA says.

Most construction will fall between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day, but some nighttime work will be required.

Irvin Avenue is closed under PATCO in Collingswood through Jan. 9, while Carlton Avenue under PATCO in Haddon Township is closed through Jan. 8. The dates are estimates and subject to change.

The project scope includes:

• Repainting and repair: blasting clean and repainting the viaducts' concrete beams and installing new bird netting to prevent nesting, protect the structures from damage, and maintain cleaner conditions for the community.
• Concrete improvements: repairing deteriorated areas and applying a protective coating to the concrete to strengthen the viaducts, shield them from weather and wear, and help extend their useful life.
• Electric: new power cabling and system improvements to boost reliability and keep trains running smoothly.
• Safety and maintenance: replacing expansion joints and adding a new handrail along the track area at Collingswood to give maintenance workers safer access while servicing the track area.

Visit the DRPA's project webpage for more info.