Officials from the Delaware River Port Authority and PATCO on Sept. 9, released the list of items that will be prohibited on the Ben Franklin Bridge and in the PATCO system during the weekend of the Papal Visit (Sept. 25 – 28). The list is virtually identical to restrictions issued by the U.S. Secret Service for events on the Ben Franklin Parkway on Sept. 26, and Sept. 27 and for events at Independence Mall on Sept. 26.
The exception is that bicycles will be permitted on the Ben Franklin Bridge during the period in which it is used for pedestrian access. Bicycles must be walked across the bridge and will not be permitted on PATCO trains. Bicycles are prohibited at Papal Visit events in both the Ben Franklin Parkway and Independence Hall secured zones. To accommodate individuals with small children, strollers will also be permitted on the Ben Franklin Bridge and PATCO trains. Because of expected larger than usual crowds, PATCO riders will be required to collapse strollers while on the trains.
“We feel that it is prudent and appropriate to apply the same standards for prohibited items as the Secret Service,” said DRPA CEO John Hanson. “We’ve opted to deviate slightly and make the exception for bikes on the bridge to accommodate bicycle riders who wish to participate in events or patronize businesses outside of the Ben Franklin Parkway and Independence Hall secured perimeters.”
All attendees, including general public and ticketed guests, will be subject to a thorough security screening before entering the events on the Ben Franklin Parkway and Independence Mall. Please allow for additional time for security screening, as it is expected that lines may be long.
As a reminder, to facilitate pedestrian travel into the city of Philadelphia for the event, the Ben Franklin Bridge (BFB) will close to vehicle traffic on Sept. 25, at 10 p.m. The BFB will re-open to vehicles at or around noon on Sept. 28. PATCO will provide non-stop service westbound to Center City Philadelphia (9/10th & Locust Street Station) on Sept. 26-27 between each of our Lindenwold, Woodcrest, Ferry Avenue and Broadway stations. Express trains will travel one way to maximize passenger capacity.
