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DRPA Considers Reopening Franklin Square PATCO Station

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The Delaware River Port Authority is taking a serious look at reopening the long-mothballed Franklin Square PATCO station.

There's a half million dollars in next year's capital budget for design studies to revive the Franklin Square PATCO stop, closed since 1979.

It's been talked about for years, but DRPA CEO John Hanson says board members -- including Local 98 leader John Dougherty -- are pushing it:

"There's strong sentiment from the board to add this service enhancement."

Hanson says the DRPA has been seeking a federal grant to fund the $28-million project, but even if that fails...

"We'll continue to look for grant money. But DRPA is able to fund it through our capital program. We've been looking at the costs to open the station; we've been looking at the additional operating costs."

Previous studies have said the station would be used by 1,300 riders a day, but Hanson says that doesn't include reverse commuters - nor does it take area development into account.

He says should the project get the green light, it could take more than a year before the station would reopen.

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