Philadelphia suburbs prepare for papal visit road closures

CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Traffic was slow Thursday morning in Conshohocken, but people here are expecting anything but that when Pope Francis rolls into town.

"It's going to be crowded, but it's going to be fantastic," said David Rosenburg of Penn Valley.

"I'm expecting it to be busy," said Jackie Rosenburg. "Hopefully it will bring business to the area, and it's a good thing."

Road closures for the suburbs start Friday, September 25 at 10:00 p.m.

City Ave. will be closed in both directions from Lancaster Ave. to Belmont Ave. because the pope is staying at Saint Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood.

The westbound Schuylkill Expressway will be closed from I-95 to City Ave., and the eastbound Schuylkill will be shut down all the way from the Blue Route to I-95.

That has businesses on Fayette Street in Conshohocken preparing for extra traffic.

"We are definitely bulking up on everything," said Hilary Hamilton of Tradestone Cafe. "We are kind of right in the middle of Fayette Street, and there are not many things after the exit, so we are planning on a lot of foot traffic."

Those who live in the area are getting creative with their weekend plans.

"Going to ride a bicycle," said David Rosenburg.

"We might avoid the city on the weekend," said Jackie. "We might avoid it. I'm not riding a bicycle."

There's no question everyone is preparing for traffic craziness, but it's something they say will be worth it.

"It's a very special situation, and we should be honored - and we are - to be part of it," David Rosenburg said.

"One weekend," added Jackie. "We can do that."