Road, parking, and transit info for DNC in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Road closures and highway restrictions are in effect as the Democratic Convention takes place in Philadelphia.

Traffic restrictions are in place in South Philadelphia and the streets surrounding the sports complex during the DNC which runs from Monday, July 25 to Thursday, July 28 at the Wells Fargo Center.

Unlike the Papal visit, all major highways will remain open to passenger vehicles, although there will be restrictions on commercial vehicles and the Broad Street exit ramps from I-95 will be closed.

Commercial Vehicle Restrictions

I-95 commercial vehicle restrictions will be coordinated between the Pennsylvania State Police, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and local jurisdictions. Beginning at 12 p.m. on Saturday, July 23, until midday on Friday, July 29, commercial vehicles weighing more than five tons will be prohibited from traveling on Interstate 95 between Exit 13 (Interstate 76 West/Route 291/Valley Forge) and Exit 22 (Interstate 676) in Philadelphia, PA. In addition, the northbound and southbound entrance ramps to I-95 between Exit 13 and Exit 22 in Philadelphia will be closed to commercial vehicles over five tons. Commercial vehicles will be directed to use arterial roads to reach either I-95 north or south beyond Exit 13 or Exit 22.

The following are the posted detours that drivers of vehicles over five tons will be directed to follow to return to I-95 once they exit the interstate:

From I-95 north: Route 291 (Penrose Avenue) east, to 26th Street, to Interstate 76 west, to Interstate 676 east; and

From I-95 south: I-676 west, to I-76 east, to 26th Street, to Route 291(Penrose Avenue) west.

The following types of commercial vehicles will be restricted from traveling on this part of I-95 during the DNC:

Delivery trucks

Utility vehicles

Parcel trucks

Small dump trucks

Buses

Flatbed and stake trucks

Refrigerated and box trucks

Large delivery trucks

Refuse trucks

Cement mixers

Buses

All tractor and trailer combinations including double trailers

Motor homes

Recreational trailers operated for personal use

Commuters and commercial truck drivers are advised to allow additional time for travel on I-76, I-676 and Route 291 over the next week because these highways will experience heavier traffic volumes due to commercial vehicles being diverted off I-95.

Road Closures

In addition to the below parking restrictions, the Philadelphia Parking Authority will be enforcing all parking regulations with a special emphasis on safety violations throughout the duration of the Democratic National Convention.

Stadium Event Parking:

Parking restrictions normally in place during games will be in effect during the Democratic National Convention. In areas bounded by 7th Street, Broad Street, Oregon Avenue and Pollock Street, vehicles must display a valid Stadium District Parking Permit from Monday, July 25 through Thursday, July 28. Vehicles without valid permits will be ticketed and towed. Signs will be placed at the entrance at each block indicating that the Stadium Event Parking restrictions will be in place during that period.

Broad Street:

In order to insure traffic and pedestrian safety during the Democratic National Convention, parking will be prohibited in the median of South Broad Street from 8 a.m. Sunday, July 24 through 8 p.m. Friday July 29. Parking will be permitted at legal spots at the curb during this period.

Vehicles in violation of the parking ban will receive a $51 ticket and be relocated to the Philadelphia Parking Authority Impoundment Lot #2, located at 2535 S. Swanson Street. While no tow fee will be charged, motorists must present a proof of ownership to retrieve their car.

Wells Fargo Center Area

I-95 Northbound exit ramp to Broad Street

Closed Friday, July 22 at 8 PM, until midday on Friday, July 29, 2016.

I-95 Southbound exit ramp to Broad Street

Open ONLY for access to the Navy Yard from Friday, July 22 at 8 PM, until midday on Friday, July 29, 2016.

I-95 Southbound exit ramp to Broad Street CLOSED COMPLETELY during the following times:

From Friday, July 22, at 10 PM until Saturday, July 23, at 6 AM

From Monday, July 25, at 2 PM until Tuesday, July 26, at 2 AM

From Tuesday, July 26, at 2 PM until Wednesday, July 27, at 2 AM

From Wednesday, July 27, at 2 PM until Thursday, July 28, at 2 AM

From Thursday, July 28, at 2 PM until midday Friday, July 29.

Posted detour routes for I-95 ramp closures:

I-95 Northbound: Route 291 (Penrose Avenue) east, to Moyamensing Avenue, to Oregon Avenue to Broad Street (Route 611)

I-95 Southbound: Enterprise Avenue, to Island Avenue, to Route 291 (Penrose Avenue) east, to Moyamensing Avenue, to Oregon Avenue to Broad Street (Route 611).

The following streets will close no later than Saturday, July 23 at 12 PM, until Friday late evening, July 29, 2016:

S. Broad Street - from Packer Avenue to Terminal Avenue

S. 11th Street - from Hartranft Street to Terminal Avenue

Pattison Avenue - from 7th Street to eastern most entrance to FDR Park

Terminal Avenue from S. Broad Street to S. 11th Street

Pattison Avenue from 20th Street to the eastern most entrance to FDR Park *

Hartranft Street from S. Broad Street to S. Darien Street *

S. Darien Street - from Packer Avenue to Lurie Way *

10th Street south of Packer Avenue *

* Access limited to authorized vehicles only.

I-76 Eastbound Exit 350 - "Packer Ave" will be closed completely during the following times:

From Monday, July 25, at 2 PM until Tuesday, July 26, at 2 AM

From Tuesday, July 26, at 2 PM until Wednesday, July 27, at 2 AM

From Wednesday, July 27, at 2 PM until Thursday, July 28, at 2 AM

From Thursday, July 28, at 2 PM until Friday, July 29 at 2 AM

This is a city used to dealing with protesters. Philadelphia Police Commissioner Richard Ross said police will be outfitted in their normal attire. They'll allow the protests to go on peacefully.

"We've been very fluid in dealing with protesters and demonstrators for the last 18 months or so and we are relatively confident about how we do that. We know these things happen and we take them as they come. We are not prepared to say this will happen or that will happen because that's not what we want to do," Ross said.

Commissioner Ross said there will be security fencing up around FDR Park, but he said the delegates will be able to see and hear what is going on there.

Only people who have been credentialed ahead of time will be allowed into the area directly around the Wells Fargo Center and they will be going through security there.

Security Screenings

Only individuals with credentials/tickets will be allowed access to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center. Those individuals will be subject to a thorough security screening before entering and should allow additional time for these security screenings.

General Prohibited Items

As a security precaution, the following items will be prohibited from entry into the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia:

Aerosols

Ammunition

Animals other than service/guide dogs

Backpacks

Bags exceeding size restriction 18" x 13" x 7"

Bicycles

Balloons

Coolers

Drones and other unmanned aircraft systems

E-Cigarettes

Explosives

Firearms

Glass, thermal, or metal containers

Laser pointers

Mace/Pepper spray

Packages

Selfie sticks

Structures

Supports for signs and placards

Toy guns

Weapons of any kind

Any other items determined to be potential safety hazards

Surrendered items will not be returned.

SEPTA

During the Democratic National Convention, many SEPTA Bus Routes will operate on temporary detours due to various events and scheduled demonstrations throughout the City. SEPTA has put together projected detour routing for the Bus Routes noted below. This routing will be used in the event of a demonstration or other event. In some instances SEPTA will need to further alter the routing of a Bus at the direction of police and security officials. In these cases, customers should refer to the @SEPTA_Bus Twitter feed below for the most up-to-date service information.

ALL Routes crossing Broad St.: 4, 7, 9, 12, 16, 17, 21, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 40, 42, 44, 45, 48, 62, 64, 68, 79, 124/125, G

ALL Routes operating on Market St. Between City Hall (15th & Market Sts.) & 5th St.: 4, 16, 17, 23, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 44, 45, 47, 47M, 48, 62, 124, 125

ALL Routes operating between Market & 20th Sts. and City Hall (all sides): 2, 4, 16, 17, 27, 31, 32, 33, 38, 44, 48, 62, 124, 125

ALL Routes operating along Broad Street between City Hall to the Naval Base and along Market St. between City Hall & 5th St.: 2, 4, 7, 9, 12, 16, 17, 21, 23, 27, 29, 31, 32, 33, 37, 38, 40, 42, 44, 45, 47, 47M, 48, 61, 62, 64, 68, 79, 124, 125, G

All other Bus Routes will operate as regularly scheduled; however, customers should check System Status as service is subject to change.

Marina/Waterway Restrictions

The U.S. Coast Guard will establish security zones on portions of the Delaware River, Schuylkill River and Darby Creek in Philadelphia during the DNC. These security zones will be in effect from July 25 - 28.

The Coast Guard is coordinating this maritime security effort with federal, state and local agencies. During the enforcement period, unauthorized vessels or people will not be permitted to enter or move within the security zone without permission from the Captain of the Port.

Boaters should monitor VHF-FM Channel 16 during this period for detailed information on waterway closures and restrictions, and allow for extra transit time.

For additional questions regarding waterway restrictions during the DNC in Philadelphia, contact the Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay public affairs officer at 215-778-5843.

No Drone Zone

Flying unmanned aircraft systems, drones and radio-control model aircraft in any of the designated restricted areas is against the law and is strictly prohibited. Unmanned aircraft systems, drones and radio-control aircraft are subject to FAA flight restrictions and are prohibited from operating anywhere within 30 Nautical Miles of downtown Philadelphia, to include FDR Park, from the morning of Monday, July 25, through the evening of Thursday, July 28. Failure to comply with FAA flight restrictions may result in civil and/or criminal penalties. To report drone flights during the Democratic National Convention, please contact authorities at 267-551-7740. Please visit www.FAA.gov for further information.

Airspace Restrictions

An interagency airspace security plan will be implemented to provide secure airspace over the Philadelphia, PA metropolitan area during the Democratic National Convention from Monday, July 25, through Thursday evening, July 28. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight advisory listing enhanced restrictions was released on June 24. The enhanced airspace restrictions can be accessed online at the Federal Aviation Administration web page at www.faa.gov. Pilot inquiries should be directed to douglas.gould@faa.gov.

ONLINE:

511pa.com/dnc/planned_closures.aspx

Secretservice.gov/events/2016-CONV.

www.FAA.gov

SEPTA.org/events/dncphilly.html