Watch CBS News

Montgomery County Officials Announce Transportation And Safety Plans For Papal Visit

By Jim Melwert

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Montgomery County officials have announced their plans for the weekend of the papal visit, with everything from security around the seminary where the pope will stay, to planning for potential gridlock on highways or roads, or ensuring the safety of anyone who tries to make the trek into the city on the trails.

Emergency officials point out it's their job to plan for the worst, so this isn't an attempt to scare anyone, rather to make sure everyone is prepared.

One issue addressed, the Schuylkill River Trail as a possible route to get in and out of the city. David Brown, Deputy Director, Montgomery County Department of Public Safety, says anyone thinking of using the trail needs to know what they're getting into. He says just from the Philadelphia-Montgomery county line, it's still about ten miles to the Philadelphia Art Museum.

"If you look at the average bikers, they bike about 10-miles an hour," Brown says, "so that's about an hour ride on a bicycle from the county line, and walkers, at the average, is 3-4 miles per hour, so that's a few-hour walk."

And Brown says it will be dark on the way home. They'll do what they can to provide lighting, but recommend anyone bring a flashlight.

Officials say the same goes for anyone planning to drive. They need to know highway and road closures, and plan a route ahead of time.

The Pennsylvania State Police say they'll have 12 locations along the highways with water and emergency equipment, in case of gridlock.

They'll also have two choppers, a plane, mounted patrols, and motorcycles.

Adding to traffic headaches, the Schuylkill Expressway will be closed at I-476, the Blue Route, and City Avenue will be closed from Belmont to Lancaster Avenue.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.