The city is bracing for significant traffic disruptions as it prepares for tomorrow's Harris-Walz campaign rally. According to the City of Philadelphia, road closures and parking restrictions are expected to start rolling out as early as November 1 and remain until November 5 to accommodate the rally.
For locals and visitors alike, the closures will include popular thoroughfares such as Eakins Oval, Kelly Drive, Spring Garden Street, and segments of Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Commuters are being nudged to seek alternative routes and budget extra time for their travels. Illegal double-parking is also a no-go; it not only worsens congestion but is also against the law.
Phase one of the plan will see Eakins Oval closed off from early Friday morning until Tuesday evening. A wider swathe of the closure starts from Saturday, affecting inbound Kelly Drive and portions of Benjamin Franklin Parkway. The entire width of the Parkway is slated for closure from 5 a.m. on Monday through Tuesday morning, affecting numerous nearby streets, including 19th Street, 20th Street, and the Spring Garden Street Tunnel. Caution is the word of the day for motorists navigating the area, with intermittent closures also expected for parts of Pennsylvania Avenue to allow for equipment movement.
Parking restrictions are also in place, with several blocks around the event space, such as Pennsylvania Avenue and Winter Street, seeing limits on vehicle parking. The city's announcement lists exact details on which sides of the street will be affected. Should the event demand it, further closures and restrictions may be deemed necessary, as visitors and locals are encouraged to heed signs and follow instructions from the Philadelphia Police Department.
