Montgomery County Largely Traffic-Free During Pope Visit

Rumors of apocalyptic traffic in the suburbs during Pope Francis visit to Philadelphia proved to be exaggerated.

In the Hatboro and Horsham areas, for example, there was very little traffic. Routes 309 and 611 were free of traffic.

Around Norristown, there was no gridlock near the Norristown Transportation Center.

The Schuylkill River Trail, while well-staffed by the National Guard and volunteers, received only light traffic.

And near active regional rail hubs in Norristown and Lansdale, parking lots were only half-full, Some were empty.

“For us it was a rather uneventful weekend,” said the Horsham police community services, while stressing that the law enforcement organization for the event was historic in its scale.

Many suburban areas were even less crowded than usual, as the largest groups of people were concentrated in the very center of Philadelphia, and others, fearing traffic, either left town or never left their homes.