Roads Reopening, Mass Transit Returning To Normal Following Papal Visit
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Pope Francis' weekend trip to Philadelphia has come to an end. After road closures, detours and transit changes began before he arrived, things will soon be back to normal.
I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway)
I-76 westbound between I-95 and U.S. 1 north in Philadelphia has reopened.
I-76 eastbound between I-476 in Montgomery County and I-95 in Philadelphia has reopened.
In addition to opening mainline I-76 east, entrance ramps from Interstate 476, Route 23 (Conshohocken) and Gladwyne were the first to reopen. Other entrance and exit ramps along I-76 east are still closed and will reopen at a later time.
I-676 (Vine Street Expressway)
I-676 has reopened in both directions.
BEN FRANKLIN BRIDGE
The Ben Franklin Bridge reopened in both directions to traffic before 4 a.m.
SEPTA
Regional Rail will operate on a Saturday schedule on Monday.
Market-Frankford/Broad Street Lines are back to a regular schedule.
Trolley: Trolley routes are back to a regular schedule. Westbound service on Rt 36 will operate on Chester Avenue from 40th Street Portal to 49th Street due to track conditions.
Bus: Bus routes are back to a normal weekday schedule. Several detours are still in effect, especially in the Center City area and around the Ben Franklin Parkway. You can see them on SEPTA's System Status page.
PHILADELPHIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
If you are flying on Monday, Philadelphia International Airport says they are anticipating longer than normal security lines. The airport advises passengers to arrive at least hours prior to international departures, and at least two hours prior to domestic departures.
NEW JERSEY
All traffic restrictions have been lifted.
TRAFFIC BOX/FRANCIS FESTIVAL GROUNDS
Mayor Michael Nutter said three-quarters of the traffic box was gone by Sunday night.
"West Philadelphia is still in effect, that portion right now, and what we referred to by sectors as Logan which is right where the heart of the activity is up on the Ben Franklin Parkway. Three quarters of the traffic box Francis Festival Grounds is actually gone, lifted, doesn't exist anymore," said Mayor Nutter.
"The city's going to slowly start to come back to life," he said. "Things won't be perfect, but certainly navigable."
