Spring has sprung in Philadelphia and with warmer weather and longer days come those weekend community events that can cause traffic headaches for drivers in the City of Brotherly Love.
From regattas to runs to street festivals to parades to bike events, each weekend in Philadelphia brings a new set of traffic challenges for drivers and public transit.
Which roads in Philadelphia are closed this weekend? Here's your updated guide to avoid the potential traffic headaches:
Road closures for weekend of Friday, May 3, to Sunday, May 5, 2024
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Saturday road closures
Manny Flicks City Championship regatta
The Philadelphia Scholastic Rowing Association's City Championships (Manny Flicks) brings young rowers to the Schuylkill River Saturday and Sunday.
Transportation and Transit
The Kelly Drive will be closed from the Strawberry Mansion Bridge to Fountain Green Drive from 6 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, through 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 5.
"Southbound Kelly Drive traffic will be detoured up the Strawberry Mansion ramp to Fountain Green Drive, via Reservoir Drive," Philadelphia police said. "Northbound Kelly Drive traffic will be detoured up Fountain Green Drive, along the same route."
Police said they expect delays to be minimal, but for anyone who has meandered through one of these detours, you know that isn't always the case. Surface roads or the Schuylkill Expressway can be used as alternates.
Meet Me On South Street: Summer Block Party
The South Street block party sponsored by Milk Boy and celebrating the reopening of Jim's South St., features "chilled drinks, open streets, and lots of cheesesteaks" and a dunk tank, according to organizers.
Expect South Street to be closed between 4th and 5th streets from at least 11 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival
Rittenhouse Square businesses will be food, wears, and fun to Walnut Street from 15th Street to 19th Street Saturday from noon to 5 p.m.
The street closures span before and after the rain-or-shine event:
Walnut Street from 15th to 19th streets will be closed from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Syndenham Street from Walnut to Locust streets and 18th Street from Locust to Sansom streets will be closed from 3 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Also, expect slowdowns trying to use the numbered streets crossing Walnut.
Cinco de Mayo Block Party
Sueño and El Vez have teamed up with other businesses to close Sansom Street for a Cinco De Mayo block party from the early afternoon into evening.
Sansom Street will be closed between 12th and 13th streets from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sunday road closures
Manny Flicks City Championship regatta
Closure of Kelly Drive continues through 6 p.m. Sunday.
Independence Blue Cross Broad Street Run
Our guide to the 10-mile dash down Broad Street has a full list of road closures and SEPTA bus detours.
"The race start area on Broad Street from Olney Avenue to Windrim Avenue will close to traffic at 4 a.m., and Broad Street from Windrim Avenue to Erie Avenue will close at 7 a.m. The remainder of the course along Broad Street will close to traffic at 7:45 a.m.
"The following off-ramps on I-76 will be closed on Sunday, May 5, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Westbound I-76, Exit #349 (PA-611 - Broad Street / Sports Complex) to 1300 Pollock Street
- Eastbound I-76, Exit #349 (PA-611 - Broad Street / Sports Complex) to 1400 Curtin Street
"The following off-ramps on I-95 will be closed on Sunday, May 5, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Northbound / Southbound I-95 (Exit #17)"
Police will help direct traffic and guide pedestrians.
Chestnut Hill Home + Garden Festival
More than 200 home and garden vendors will line Germantown Avenue for the 2024 Chestnut Hill Home + Garden Festival.
Several blocks of Germantown Avenue from Willow Grove Avenue to Rex Avenue will be closed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Rain on Sunday could push this event to later in the month, organizers said.
(Editor's note: There could be other road closures not included in this list. Please message us to make us aware of other events.)
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