Main Street and 6th Street Intersection and Rail Crossing Improvement Project

County: Delaware County
Municipality: Darby Borough
State Route: 2005
Local Name: Main Street, 6th Street
Project Type: Intersection Improvements
MPMS Number: 103217
Proposed Construction Start: October 2026
Proposed Construction End: May 2027
Last Updated: April 2026

In partnership with Darby Borough, SEPTA, and CSX, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will advance the railroad grade crossing improvement project at Main Street and 6th Street. This project will include installing traffic signals, paving, sidewalk upgrades, improvements to the railroad crossing warning devices, and signal enhancements at Main Street and 5th Street. Sidewalk improvements will feature curb bump-outs to facilitate pedestrian crossings on Main Street and ADA ramps.

The current intersection of Main Street and 6th Street presents concerns for pedestrians and drivers, such as a high crash rate, poor pavement conditions, and drainage problems. The project aims to address these issues.

At the four corners of the Main Street and 6th Street intersection, curb bump-outs will be constructed with ADA ramps, traffic signal poles, and pedestrian gates for the railroad crossing. These bump-outs will offer pedestrian refuge areas, additional space for train and signal equipment, and serve as traffic calming measures, reducing the crossing distance for pedestrians. The pedestrian gates will warn and delineate during train crossings, while fencing will prevent pedestrians from bypassing the gates into train paths. ADA-compliant ramps and marked crosswalks will improve pedestrian safety.

The intersection of Main Street and 6th Street will be equipped with traffic signals and preemption systems to clear traffic before CSX trains approach. These signals will coordinate with those at Main Street and 5th Street, which will also receive upgraded equipment and retiming as necessary. Additionally, all railroad signals and warning devices will be updated to current standards.

Projected construction activities include removing the sidewalk, curb, and pavement at 6th Street; installing drainage structures and piping along the SEPTA tracks; building new curb and sidewalk bump-outs; reconstructing full-depth pavement; and milling and overlaying pavement near the tracks. Additional work during the weekend trolley outage may include traffic signal work at 5th and 6th Streets, as well as ADA ramp installation at 5th Street. The CSX gate and signal updates are part of this project; however, their schedule depends on CSX forces and may occur outside the trolley outage period.

Preliminary engineering has been completed, and the Department will finalize the design and proceed with construction. 

The project site will be subject to lane closures during construction.  Sidewalk closures are anticipated; pedestrian access through the project area will be maintained via detours to the opposite side of the roadway.  During a portion of the project, Main Street will be closed between 3rd Street and 7th Street, with traffic detoured onto MacDade Boulevard, Church Lane, and Cobbs Creek Parkway.  Full closures will only occur during the weekends to maintain the operations of the SEPTA trolley during the weekdays.