PATCO prepares for $2 million subway vent replacement project

Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO) will kick off a $2 million construction project in Center City Philadelphia this summer to replace and modify sidewalk and curb subway vents.

Work will begin July 17 at the corner of Locust and Bouvier streets, about a block from the PATCO station at 18th and Locust streets. The Philadelphia portion of the project is slated for completion in December, PATCO officials said in a press release.

Vent replacement in Camden, N.J., is scheduled to occur in spring 2014, they said.

"We're confident that these improvements will support the local economy by adding value for PATCO rail passengers who work, shop and transact business in Center City," said PATCO General Manager John Rink.

Construction crews will be working only on subway vents that serve the PATCO commuter-rail line. Vents owned or maintained by other transit authorities or the city of Philadelphia are not part of the project.