Philadelphia

Pope Francis Is Gone, Roads Starting to Reopen

Pope Francis’ whirlwind Philadelphia tour has come to an end and everyday commuter life is slowly getting back to normal.

The Ben Franklin Bridge, which wasn’t scheduled to reopen until 4 a.m. Monday, actually reopened earlier at about 3:00 a.m.

I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) westbound reopened around 8 p.m. Sunday between I-95 and US 1-North.

I-76 (Schuylkill Expressway) eastbound reopened at 11:05 p.m. between I-476 in Montgomery County and I-95 in Philadelphia. Entrance ramps from I-476, Route 23 and Gladwyne reopened as well.

I-676 (Vine Street Expressway) westbound between I-76 and I-95 in Philadelphia reopened at 1:30 a.m. Monday. Exit ramps will reopen when conditions are safe for vehicular and pedestrian travel.

And expect closures around the Ben Franklin Parkway to remain in effect as crews cleanup security checkpoints, barricades, trash and the papal stage. No word yet when everything will be cleaned up.

The Martin Luther King Drive reopens closed, as well as parts of Kelly Drive.

All of the roads in South Jersey leading up to the Ben Franklin Bridge that were closed also have reopened.

The area around SEPTA’s 69th Street Terminal in Upper Darby remains closed until 7 a.m. Monday.

Authorized vehicle routes in Philadelphia including parts of 22nd Street, N 16th Street, Fairmount Avenue, 34th Street and Lancaster Avenue remain closed until sometime Monday morning.

There will be curbside no trash and recycling collection in Philadelphia on Monday and Philadelphia public and parochial schools remain closed.

NJ Transit, Amtrak, as well as SEPTA trolley and buses resume normal service Monday. PATCO and SEPTA’s Regional Rails are operating on a Saturday schedule.

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