This weekend, the city of Philadelphia will greet Pope Francis, an exciting time for Philadelphians and guests, but also stressful for many local residents. Here’s our summary on various closures, restrictions and cancellations associated with the papal visit. The schedule of events and activities during the Papal visit on Sept. 26 & 27 is available here. Also check out these useful links: Papal Visit Playbook, Philly Pope Map, Papal Visit FAQs. There will also be live streaming of events from the World Meeting of Families and the Papal visit stream (click here).

We will update this post as more information becomes available. Feel free to post comments or email us (editor-at-westphillylocal.com) if you know of any closures or cancellations not included in this post.

Highway Closures, Traffic Restrictions (“Traffic Boxes”)

Some road closures and parking restrictions have already begun ahead of the visit, but major highway closures and traffic restrictions will start on Friday night. Mayor Michael Nutter has announced Papal “traffic boxes” for parts of Center City and West Philadelphia, beginning on Friday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. respectively. Vehicles will be allowed to exit the traffic box area, but will not be allowed to re-enter it (except for emergency vehicles). There will be no SEPTA bus or trolley service within the boundaries of the traffic box, but there will be no restrictions to bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Here are the boundaries for the West Philadelphia Traffic Box: 

• North Boundary: Powelton Avenue, from 32nd street to 38th
• South Boundary: University Avenue to Grays Ferry
• East Boundary: Edge of Schuylkill River and the train tracks
• West Boundary: 38th Street from Powelton Avenue to University Avenue

Major highways and some bridges will be closed starting at 10 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25. For more information, click here.

SEPTA Service

Subway 

On Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27, express and local-service trains will operate in both directions from 5:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. There will be no overnight weekend service on these days. Here’s a map of stations on the Market-Frankford Line that will be open on Sept. 26 and 27:

Trolleys 

• Trolley Routes 11, 13, 34, and 36 will not run east of 30th Street and will skip underground stops between 30th and 40th in both directions on Saturday and Sunday.
• Route 10 will be suspended
• NO Trolley Owl service Saturday and Sunday evenings, 3:00 a.m. – 5:30 a.m.
• Customers may transfer to the Market Frankford Line for continuing travel to Center City and FTC
• Route 15 will operate with Bus service only

Buses

On Saturday and Sunday, the following bus routes will be suspended: 1, 4, 7, 8, 10, 12, 17, 30, 35, 43, 44, 47M, 48, 57, 61, 62, 64, 65, 78, 80. The following bus routes will operate on modified weekday schedules: 3, 5, 6, 11, 13, 14, 15, 15B, 16, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 31, 33, 34, 36 42, 47, 50, 52, 55, 58, 66, 70, R. The following routes will operate on regular weekend schedules: 2, 9, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 32, 37, 38, 39, 40, 46, 53, 54, 56, 59, 60, 67, 68, 73, 75, 77, 79, 84, 88, 89, G, HXH, J, K, L. Please note that some routes will operate with detours and segmented or shortened service due to street closures.

Three-Day Papal Transit Pass

A special $10, three-day Papal Transit Pass is now on sale at regular sales locations along the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines. The pass will be valid for travel on the Market-Frankford and Broad Street Lines, as well as buses and trolleys, between Saturday, Sept. 26 and Monday, Sept. 28.

For more information on SEPTA service during the Papal visit, click here.

Trash/Recycling Pick-up

Curbside trash and recycling collections will be suspended for Friday, Sept. 25 and Monday, Sept. 28 citywide. Residents with Friday and Monday collections are asked to hold their trash and recycling until the following week’s collection.

Closings (updated)

• Schools – All public schools and many afterschool programs will be closed on Thursday, Sept. 24, Friday, Sept. 25, and Monday, Sept. 28.
• Libraries – The entire Free Library of Philadelphia system will be closed on Saturday, Sept. 26 and Sunday, Sept. 27. Additionally, the Parkway Central Library, located at 1901 Vine Street, will close at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, and will remain closed through Monday, Sept. 28.
• Post offices – Philadelphia Main Post Office (19104) will be closed on both Saturday and Sunday, Sept 26-27, and there will be no delivery or collection of mail in the area.
• Farmers’ Markets – Four of the Food Trust‘s markets will be closed due to the Pope’s visit: Overbrook, Headhouse, Common Ground and Fitler Square. All others — including Clark Park — will be open as scheduled.
• The West Philadelphia YMCA will close at 3 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 25 and will re-open at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 28.
• Penn Museum will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.
• University City Arts League‘s afterschool program will be closed on Thursday and Friday, but open on Monday, Sept. 28.
• Dornsife Center will be closed from Friday, Sept. 25 through Monday, Sept. 28.
• Green Line Cafe – Center City and Vet School locations will be closed on Friday. 40th St will be closed on Saturday and Sunday. All other shops will be open as normal.
• PAWS – Grays Ferry and Old City locations will be closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Also, check out the University City District’s page on local business and organization closings during the Papal visit.