The Impact Of The Papal Visit On Malvern

How will the Pope’s visit affect the outlying suburbs?

According to some, it’s the suburbs that will feel the impact first.

Although the area may seem distant from the epicenter of events in Philadelphia and southeastern Montgomery County, the massive influx of visitors for the World Meeting of Families and the Papal visit will cause traffic throughout the tri-state region.

“The most obvious impact will be traffic, and lots of it,” the Horsham police community services (ChATs) said in an announcement on Facebook.

If you are going to one of the nearby SEPTA regional rail stations to make your way into center city to see the Pope, you may find the following information useful:

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.

For a list of all southeastern Pennsylvania municipalities that have declared a state of emergency, please click here.

For Patch’s Complete Guide to the Pope Visit, see here.

Starting Friday at 10 p.m., the following roads will close:

• I-76 eastbound from I-476 to I-95
• I-76 westbound from I-95 to US Route 1
• I-676 will be closed in both directions from I-76 to I-95
• The Ben Franklin bridge will close to vehicular traffic until noon on Monday, Sept. 28
• US Route 1 from Route 30 to Belmont Ave.
  

I-95 will remain open but some ramps will be closed starting at 10 p.m. until the morning of Monday, Sept. 28:

• I-95 north and south exit ramps to Callowhill Street in Philadelphia
• I-95 north and south exit ramps to I-676 in Philadelphia
• I-95 north and south exit ramps to Washington Avenue (Open to registered buses only) in Philadelphia
• I-95 north and south exit ramps to Broad Street (Route 611) (Open to registered buses only) in Philadelphia

The following exit ramps along I-676 in Philadelphia will close Thursday, September 24 at 10 p.m., until the morning of Monday, Sept. 28:

• I-676 east exit at 23rd Street/Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• I-676 east exit at Broad Street (Route 611)
• I-676 east exit at 8th Street
• I-676 west exit at Broad Street (Route 611)
• I-676 west exit at Benjamin Franklin Parkway.