The pedestrian overpass at  Allens Lane station will be restored as part of a $7 million upgrade. (Photo by Joel Hoffmann)

Although the 21-month restoration of the Allen Lane R-8 regional rail station begins this month, SEPTA expects “no significant service delays” for the nearly 3,600 commuters who board at that station each week.

According to a Nov. 20, 2008, report prepared for SEPTA by TranSystems and Hunt Engineering Company, track outages will occur when trains do not typically run.

During the workweek, single-track outages are anticipated between 11:30 p.m. and 5 a.m. while double-track outages may occur between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. On the weekend, single-track outages are anticipated between 1 a.m. on Saturday and 5 a.m. on Monday while double outages may occur 1 a.m. on Saturday and 4 a.m. on Monday.

The federal government will cover 80 percent of the $7.1 million project cost. The state and city will provide the rest.

“SEPTA is working with the Philadelphia Historical Society as the 100-year-old station requires extensive and delicate rehabilitation along with upgrades for the improvement of passenger service and safety,” SEPTA spokesman Gary Fairfax said of the project’s scope in an e-mail interview last week.

The station restoration will include the construction of “high-level platforms,” ramps compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a new pedestrian bridge and new outdoor shelters and canopies for those awaiting trains.

Upgrades are scheduled for the existing signage, drainage system, electrical grid and outdoor lights.

Crossing Construction Co. will be the general contractor. Miller Brothers Construction will be the electrical contractor.

Fairfax said that 10 contractors put in bids for the project, but SEPTA chose Crossing and Miller because they wanted the lowest bid made by “responsive and responsible contractors.”