Papal Visit Could Be For Hell On Earth For Traffic Around Montgomery County

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 for two days later this month.

In addition to the increased traffic expected on major highways around Montgomery County, localized traffic is expected around the SEPTA stations that will be service during the visit on Sept. 26 and 27.

In Montgomery County, those stations include:

• Norristown Transportation Center
• Lansdale - Pennbrook Station
• Fort Washington Station

To prepare for the event, several Montgomery County municipalities have either announced road closures or are considering closures.

Officials from Norristown, Hatboro, and Lansdale, along with other towns, have had meetings with officials from Montgomery County and SEPTA to prepare for the event.

“People are being told to prepare like it’s a winter storm,” Hatboro Police Chief James Gardner told The Intelligencer. “I agree with that.”

Regionally, the following closures have been announced. (These roads will close at 10 p.m. Friday and open at 12 a.m. Monday.)

• I-676 in both directions from I-76 to I-95
• I-76 eastbound from I-476 to I-95
• I-76 westbound from I-95 to US Route 1
• US Route 1 in both directions from US Route 30 to Belmont Avenue (Pope Francis is staying overnight at Wynnewood’s at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary)
• I-95 will be open but certain ramps will be closed

RELATED: Pope’s U.S. Visit, 2015 Guide: Full Schedule, Transportation, Ticket Information