Mayor Nutter Shares New Details On Traffic Box, School Closures During Papal Visit
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Mayor Michael Nutter held a press conference Thursday afternoon regarding the upcoming Papal visit in Philadelphia.
The mayor revealed a new map detailing three security levels of perimeter zones in the "traffic box."
#PopeinPhilly: Three security levels of perimeter zones detailed in "Traffic Zone." Resources, timing. @CBSPhilly https://t.co/wZyBvBovqN
— Steve Patterson (@PattersonCBS3) August 13, 2015
"The traffic box is to protect millions of people walking on narrow city streets and sidewalks."
The mayor also announced a secure perimeter and a secure vehicle perimeter.
Nutter said the red line represents the secure perimeter, in which pedestrians will have to go through a magnetometer. The black line, Nutter says, is a secure vehicle perimeter.
"Thursday at 10 p.m. the Parkway area secure perimeter and secure vehicle perimeter will go into effect," Mayor Nutter said.
He continued, "Friday morning at 6 a.m., in the area between 12th to the west to 20th Street will only be open to pedestrians in the red area. Pedestrians will need to be screened by magnetometers."
The mayor said Friday, September 25 at 8 a.m., authorized vehicle access roads will go into effect.
"Friday evening at 6 p.m. in Center City, and 10 p.m. in West Philadelphia, the traffic box [green lines] go into effect," Nutter said. "Friday night at 10 p.m., in the Independence Hall area, the secure perimeter and vehicle secure perimeter will be established."
Starting Saturday morning, 20th Street West to the Art Museum and Independence Hall will be open to ticketed and screened pedestrians, the mayor said.
Once Pope Francis concludes at Independence Hall, Mayor Nutter said there will be no more screenings in the area, but vehicles will still not be allowed in the secure perimeters.
When speaking on closures, Mayor Nutter said the Philadelphia school district will close from Wednesday, September 23 through Friday, September 26. Officials will decide if students will have class on Monday, September 28 at a later date. The mayor said parents will receive proper notification.
Nutter said students will have class on October 9 to make up for the school closures in September.
The mayor said city courts will also close starting Wednesday, September 23 and will reopen Tuesday, September 29.
Nutter said "walking maps" should be established in a week or so.
Taxis will be able to move in and out of the traffic box until Saturday, September 26 at 2 a.m. and starting Monday, September 28 at 3 a.m., taxis will be available in the traffic box for those trying to get to the airport, the mayor said.
He said no decision has been made regarding Uber or Lyft.
