North Avenue Rising Penn-North Metro SubwayLink Station Improvements

Opened in 1983, the Penn-North Station along the Baltimore Metro SubwayLink line had sustained nearly 40 years of wear and tear and showed signs of declining efficiency and reliability. Elevators worked inconsistently, lighting was inadequate, and sidewalk cracks posed tripping hazards, all contributing to a frustrating rider experience.

As part of the $27 million North Avenue Rising revitalization project to improve the five-mile North Avenue corridor, station improvements were funded by:

• Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant money.
• Maryland Department of Transportation funds.
• U.S. Department of Transportation funds.

The station received upgrades to the elevators, lighting, foundation, and exterior appearance to increase residents’ mobility and broaden access to economic opportunities throughout Baltimore.

GFT provided design for:

• Two elevator replacements.
• Station entryway upgrades.
• Sidewalk repairs.
• Structural repairs to elevator hoistways.
• Site lighting upgrades.

Two hydraulic elevators were replaced to increase rider mobility: Elevator 1, which runs from street level to mezzanine level and is exposed to weather; and Elevator 2 on the paid side of the fare line that serves the platform and mezzanine levels. A new ceiling and lighting fixtures in the elevator machine room and new lighting in the elevator pits support maintenance efforts.

New copper feeds and electrical panel replacements power the elevators and new escalator lighting. Additional lighting adjacent to the elevator door brightens the mezzanine level. The removal of abandoned light fixtures improves aesthetics.

On the station’s exterior, a new concrete base and gutter system convey water around the street-level entrance and away from the elevator hoistway to prolong the renovated elevator’s life. A new concrete sidewalk adjoining the entrance to Elevator 1 provides smoother and safer access to the station. Structural repairs, including cracking and spalling repairs, addressed concrete issues within the hoistway and imminent spalling due to water damage.

A new architectural storefront system was installed around the existing street-level entrance headhouses to increase customer safety. Clear glazing replaced a metal security screen to provide increased visibility and surveillance capabilities and a refreshed architectural appearance. Victorian-style exterior lighting improves safety while matching the existing aesthetics of the neighborhood.

New conduits accommodate a power connection for a future bike-sharing installation that will offer additional mobility options to residents. An artwork installation, part of the North Avenue Rising revitalization project, showcases a mural painted by a Baltimore artist that celebrates local heritage.