Area Roads Closing For Lt Matthew LeTourneau​'s Funeral Services

PHILADELPHIA – Funeral services for fallen Philadelphia Fire Department Lt. Matthew LeTourneau, 42, of Springfield, are set for Friday, Jan. 12. Philadelphia Police said the services will affect traffic in various areas of the city and in Springfield.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 12 at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul, 1723 Race St., Philadelphia. Interment will follow at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, 600 South Sproul Road, Springfield.

Public viewings will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11, as well as from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 12.

Philadelphia Police issued a traffic advisory for LeTourneau's services.

Between 7 a.m.and 2 p.m., the area surrounding the basilica will be extremely congested, Philadelphia Police said. The area is bounded by Spring Garden Street on the north, John F. Kennedy Boulevard of the south, Broad Street on the east and 25th Street on the west.

At about 1:30 p.m., the funeral procession will head to SS. Peter and Paul Cemetery forcing some road closures, which are listed below:

• Vine Street from Logan Circle to the Interstate 676 entrance at Broad Street;
• Eastbound I-676 at Interstate 76;
• Southbound Interstate 95 at I-676;
• Southbound I-95 detours will allow for exit onto I-676 or Callowhill Street;
• Northbound Interstate 476 will be closed for the procession, from I-95 to Exit #5;
• U.S. Route 1 to Sproul Road;
• Sproul Road, from U.S. Route 1 to the entrance to SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery.

Drivers should expect delays and congestion in the area of the cathedral and along the route to the cemetery.

Police units will be assigned along the route to aid motorists.

LeTourneau, as well as a civilian, died in a rowhouse fire on the 2200 block of Colorado Street in North Philadelphia in Saturday, Jan. 6.

LeTourneau was an 11-year veteran of the department. He previously served at Engine 43 and Engine 57, and was promoted to lieutenant in 2015.

In 2015, LeTourneau received a unit citation in 2010 and a letter of commendation for his service during the World Meeting of Families, the fire department said.

The City of Philadelphia is flying flags at half-staff for 30 days in memory of LeTourneau.

Image via Shutterstock