The SEPTA trolley tunnel connecting West Philadelphia with Center City under the Schuylkill River will close for the annual maintenance project, Trolley Tunnel Blitz, for one month beginning Friday, July 11. Due to the closure, SEPTA Trolley Routes 10 (T1), 34 (T2), 13 (T3), 11 (T4) and 36 (T5) will not operate in the tunnel from 10 p.m. on Friday, July 11 through 6 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 11.

During the tunnel closure, trolleys will be diverted to 40th and Market via 42nd Street. Riders can board SEPTA’s Market-Frankford Line (L) at 40th Street Station for travel to Center City. For travel from Center City to West and Southwest Philadelphia, riders can board the L and then connect with trolley routes at 40th Street.

SEPTA crews will work on critical track and power maintenance, station upgrades and intensive cleaning as part of the 2025 Trolley Tunnel Blitz. In addition to the maintenance by SEPTA, PennDOT will be working on the tunnel under the Schuylkill River.

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West Philly jazz music lovers have many opportunities to enjoy live outdoor jazz every summer. Cedar Park Jazz nights kicked off last month at 49th and Baltimore with performances held every Friday night through the end of July. And here’s another great West Philly summer tradition: Jazz Heritage Series is held at Malcolm X Park (52nd and Pine) every other Thursday from May through September.

The series, presented by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation and co-hosted by the Friends of Malcolm X Park and Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, features free live performances by some of the best local musicians. Showtime is 7 p.m. (weather permitting). Please bring your own chairs!

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Trash drop-off at 50th and Locust. (Photo by West Philly Local)

Some 9,000 city workers – from trash collectors to 911 call center operators and school crossing guards – voted to strike early this morning, demanding higher wages and improved health and pension benefits.

The strike, which 95 percent of union members voted for, will impact a host of services. Health centers across the city will be closed and the Philadelphia Water Department will stop repair and maintenance services, among other service disruptions.

It’s the first walk-out strike in the city in 39 years. That strike lasted 20 days.

The city has established trash drop-off sites across the city. You can start dropping trash off there today at 5 p.m. After today, they will be open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Here’s a searchable map that will locate the nearest temporary trash drop-off site and recycling collection center (see more on recycling below).

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