Papal Visit Could Be For Hell On Earth For Traffic As Lansdale Releases Plan

The Pope’s visit to Philadelphia will bring an estimated 1.5 million visitors and will radically change the traffic patterns and public transportation schedules throughout the region.

As a SEPTA hub immediately along a major highway, Lansdale is in the heart of that traffic epicenter.

In preparation for the Pope’s arrival, Lansdale, Upper Gwynedd, and Towamencin have released a joint local traffic plan for the area surrounding SEPTA’s Pennbrook Train Station.

>>Pope Visit 2015: Patch’s Complete Guide

Here’s what you need to know:

Church Road Closure

Beginning at 5:00 AM on Saturday, September 26th, for safety purposes, both southbound and northbound lanes will be closed for vehicle traffic on Church Road from E. Hancock Street in Lansdale Borough to Wissahickon Avenue in Upper Gwynedd Township. The closure of this portion of Church Road, adjacent to the Pennbrook Station, will remain closed until approximately 1:00 PM when, barring any unforeseen circumstances, it will reopen for the remainder of the day. On Sunday the 27th, we will once again close the roadway at 5:00 AM and attempt to reopen it at 1:00 PM.

Detours

Due to this upcoming closure, vehicle traffic in Lansdale Borough attempting to either travel on Church Road towards Sumneytown Pike or those wishing to park near the Pennbrook Station to board the train to Philadelphia, will be detoured:

East on E. Hancock Street to North Wales Road where they will turn right (south) - to Wissahickon Avenue in Upper Gwynedd Township where they will once again turn right traveling west - on Wissahickon back to Church Road.

There will be police officers on hand at the intersection of Church & Wissahickon to guide travelers to where they need to go/park.

Vehicle traffic traveling north on Church Road from Sumneytown Pike in Upper Gwynedd Township will be directed into a parking lot if there to board a train. Those travellers attempting to continue on to E. Hancock Street will be directed east on Wissahickon Avenue following the detour in reverse order. NOTE: We encourage those travellers seeking to reach Lansdale Borough to take an alternative route. Though a detour will be provided, traffic on Church Road between Sumneytown Pike and Wissahickon will be greater than usual and delays should be expected.

Lansdale Exit of Route 476

Vehicle traffic coming off the Lansdale exit of Route 476 (Northeast Extension) looking to travel to the Pennbrook Train Station will be directed to turn left (east) at the Sumneytown Pike traffic light. Travellers should continue east to the traffic light at Church Road where they should turn left (north) towards Wissahickon Avenue. From there they will be directed to a designated parking lot for train travellers.

Car/Bus Drop-off and Pick-up Point

There will be a designated and marked area near the train station for those train passengers being dropped off by way of car or bus. Once their passengers have been dropped off, car drivers will be able to either leave or park as they wish. Busses, after dropping off their passengers, will not be permitted to remain in any of the designated parking lots. We ask that busses be clearly marked with the name of the leasing party/church etc. so as to ensure their riders can identify them when returning during nighttime hours.

Information/Suggestions

• SEPTA reminds everyone that you must have purchased your train passes prior to the date of travel as no passes will be sold the day of.
• Since it may be after sunset upon your return from the city, we encourage those who park in one of the designated lots to take a picture of where you park, especially if you are from out of the area.
• Remember to stay hydrated and if you “over hydrate”, we will have portable restrooms near the train station for your convenience.
• Security is everyone’s business! If you see something suspicious, tell someone in authority right away.
• As you make your way through the parking lots towards the train station, please make sure you take any belongings you brought with you.

Important Information from the SEPTA website

• Bicycles will not be permitted on trolleys or trains during these 2 days and strollers, with the exception of wheelchair strollers, must be folded before board the train
• The Secret Service has released a list of items that will not be allowed inside the Parkway events areas. Please keep this list in mind - you may be able to take them on SEPTA but you will not be able to bring them into the Parkway areas
• Aerosols
  Ammunition
  Animals, except for service animals
  Backpacks and bags exceeding 18” x 13” x 7”
  Balloons
  Bicycles
  Hard Sided Coolers
  Drones
  Explosives, firearms, or weapons
  Glass, thermal, or metal containers
  Laser pointers
  Mace or pepper spray
  Packages
  Selfie sticks
  Signs exceeding 5’ x 3’ x 1/4” made of any material except cardboard, poster board, or cloth
  Structures
  Supports for signs and placards
  Toy guns
• When making your travel plans, please use the Trip Planning tool on the individual station map.
• Will there be Pass or Fare sales at any SEPTA Sales Offices on the day I want to travel?
  No, SEPTA Sales Offices at Rail Stations and Transportation Centers will not be open and cash will not be accepted. All Special 3 Day Transit Passes used on a Route 101/102 Trolley or Norristown High Speed Line and the Special One Day Regional Rail and One Day Reduced Fare Regional Rail Passes must be pre-purchased.

Please go to SEPTA’s website at http://www.septa.org/fares/special-papal-visit-faq.html for more information.