UPDATE: The Impact Of The Papal Visit On Norristown

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.

This is especially true in Norristown, which is expected to be a “transit hub” for visitors from the surrounding area attempting to get into center city to see Pope Francis on Saturday and Sunday.

“Expect total gridlock on Rt. 422 from K&P to Pottstown,” Phoenixville borough councilman Michael Kuznar said on Facebook.

Commuter drop off points, road closures, detour routes, no parking zones, message boards, and parking lots available in Norristown are all labeled on the map below.

The following closures will be in effect:

• Lafayette Street between Dekalb and Cherry
• Sweded Street between Main and Lafayette
• Barbadoes Street between Main and Lafayette

No stopping or standing will be permitted on DeKalb Street alongside of the Norristown Transportation Center.

Message boards are strategically located around the Center to keep travelers updated on wait times and other vital information.

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.