The “Traffic Box”
‘Road, Highway & Bridge Closures In Philadelphia For Papal Visit’
Some are calling it the Popacalypse.
In what will be the largest planned event in Philadelphia history, yesterday, Mayor Nutter announced the traffic box and key information about Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia in September.
Major key point to remember. Mayor Nutter said that vehicles that exit the green zone, aka the “traffic box”, on or after September 25 will not be allowed to return until early September 28. Also stating that pedestrian traffic and bicycles will be allowed to move freely through most of that designated area.
What can we expect? A major city shutdown for the most part. The “traffic box” boundaries are designated below:
Boundaries are as follows for the Center City portion of the Traffic Box:
- Northern Boundary: Spring Garden to Ridge, Ridge to Girard, Girard to Schuylkill River
- Southern Boundary: South Street river to river
- East Boundary: Delaware Avenue from South Street to Spring Garden Street
- West Boundary: runs along the edge of the Schuylkill River and cuts up Kelly Drive stopping below the Girard Street Bridge
For the West Philadelphia portion of the Traffic Box, the boundaries will be:
- Northern Boundary: Powelton Avenue from 32nd to 38th
- Southern Boundary: University Avenue to Grays Ferry
- East Boundary: Runs along the edge of the Schuylkill River and train tracks
- West Boundary: 38th Street from Powelton Avenue to University Avenue
The Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed beginning at 10 p.m., Friday, September 25th, until noon on Monday the 28th. Three lanes will be open on the bridge for foot traffic or to be able to walk your bike across.
I-95 will remain open. Starting at 10 a.m. Friday, September 25, select exit ramps within the city will be closed, but the highway itself will be open to through traffic. I-76, the Schuylkill Expressway, will be closed in the eastbound direction all the way from the blue Route to I-95. Westbound, 76 will be closed from I-95 to the Roosevelt Boulevard exit. The Vine Expressway, 676, will be closed in both directions. US Route 1 will be closed in both directions from US Route 30 to Belmont Avenue, because Pope Francis is staying at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary.
SEPTA and the PATCO High-Speed Line have announced they will run express routes with limited stops during the papal visit. Nutter said the train line to and from Philadelphia International Airport will operate closely to normal.
In addition to specific road and bridge closures, operations of the City Courts and the First Judicial District, will be closed Wednesday, September 23rd through Monday, September 28th.
Mayor Nutter stated;
“Philadelphia is the “Can Do” City and we can do and will do everything in our power, along with our many partners, to ensure a safe and secure event, a spiritual and joyful event.”
The Secret Service has consistently said it will not publicly announce many logistical details associated with the pope’s visit until three weeks before his arrival. This was their third briefing in conjunction with city officials and they are planning many more briefings as details are put in final form.
These drastic security measures are not only to protect the Pope himself, but the projected 1.5 million people that will be visiting Philadelphia that weekend, not to include the additional 1.5 million residents who live in the city.
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