Philly Free Streets Road Closures, Parking Restrictions, More

PHILADELPHIA — With the Philly Free Streets event all set for Saturday, Aug. 3, the city is providing information on road closures, parking restrictions, and more in anticipation of the event.

Philly Free Streets will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 along North Broad Street.

Philly Free Streets is a people-powered initiative of the City of Philadelphia that temporarily closes streets to cars, inviting people to walk, bike, and play. The North Broad Street route is eight-miles round-trip from Arch Street to Butler Street.

>>>RELATED: See Activities Planned For Philly Free Streets 2019<<<

People are encouraged to join the route by taking SEPTA’s Broad Street Line anywhere between City Hall and Erie stations, or by getting off the Market-Frankford El at 15th Street.

Road Closures & Impacts

The 2019 Philly Free Streets North Broad Street route will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 6 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2019. North Broad Street will be closed from John F. Kennedy Boulevard to Butler Street.

Select east-west streets will be open to vehicular traffic to cross North Broad Street.

These streets are:

• John F. Kennedy Boulevard
• Arch Street
• Vine Street (Eastbound Only)
• Spring Garden Street
• Ridge Avenue
• Girard Avenue
• Diamond Street
• Lehigh Avenue
• Allegheny Avenue
• Erie Avenue
• Butler Street

One-way streets that feed into the Philly Free Streets route will be controlled by Philadelphia Police and designated local access only. Additional closures may be implemented if needed in the interest of public safety.

North Broad Street and adjacent closures will be opened post-event as they are serviced and cleaned. All event-related road closures will be lifted no later than 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Traffic delays can be expected during event setup and on the date of the event. Some cross streets may be closed and detoured prior to 6 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 due to public safety considerations. Motorists should avoid the area by using alternate routes, allow for extra driving time in areas near the event, and refrain from double-parking—which creates congestion, limits traffic flow and is illegal.

Parking Restrictions

Parking restrictions on the Philly Free Streets route will begin at 2 a.m. on Saturday, August 3, 2019. Parking will be prohibited on both sides of North Broad Street between John F. Kennedy Boulevard and Butler Street.

Additional parking restrictions include:

• Arch Street from Juniper to Broad
• Vine Street (Westbound) from 13th to 15th
• Brandywine Street from 15th to Broad
• Mount Vernon Street from Watts to Broad
• Wallace Street from Watts to Broad
• Fairmount Avenue from Broad to Ridge
• Brown Street from Broad to Carlisle
• Poplar Street from Watts to Carlisle
• Stiles Street from Broad to Carlisle
• Oxford Avenue from Park to Broad
• Cecil B. Moore Avenue from Park to Broad
• Montgomery Avenue from 13th to Broad
• Susquehanna Avenue from Watts to Broad
• Huntingdon Street from Broad to Carlisle
• Glenwood Avenue from Cambria to Broad
• Westmoreland Street from Park to Broad
• Rising Sun Avenue from Watts to Broad
• Germantown Avenue from Erie to Butler

Accommodations will be made for established loading and valet zones along the route.

All event-related parking restrictions will be lifted at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Temporary No Parking Signs will be posted along the Philly Free Streets route beginning on Tuesday, July 30. Vehicles parked in restricted locations after 2 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 will be towed.

If you believe that your vehicle has been towed in connection with Philly Free Streets, please contact the local police district for confirmation.

Public Transportation

SEPTA is a convenient, affordable way for event-goers to get to and from the Philly Free Streets route. All SEPTA service changes, alerts and detours can be found online.

Broad Street and Market Frankford Line service will operate on a normal weekend schedule on Saturday, Aug. 3.

Regional Rail parking lot location information is available online here.

SEPTA can be reached at (215) 580-7800 and on Twitter @septa_social.

For more information on SEPTA and NJ Transit routes and schedules, visit the SEPTA website and the NJ Transit website.

Venue Details & Public Safety Information

The following items and activities are not permitted on the Philly Free Streets route:

• Motorized transportation (excluding motorized wheelchairs or similar equipment)
• Unauthorized solicitation
• Alcoholic beverages
• Narcotics or illegal drugs
• Bathing in pools or fountains
• Damage to property
• Feeding animals
• Firecrackers or explosives
• Firearms
• Open flame
• Littering (including pet waste)
• Public intoxication
• Unauthorized driving or parking
• Unauthorized vending
• Unleashed animals
• Weapons of any kind

Emergency Preparedness & Weather Alerts

Philly Free Streets is a rain or shine event. In the case of severe weather, listen for announcements and sign up ahead of time to receive emergency texts or email alerts from ReadyPhiladelphia.

For tips and general information about being prepared and ready at special events, read the Special Event Safety Guide before you attend.