Philadelphia Marathon road closures, transit impact, event information

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The Philadelphia Marathon is today, and with thousands of runners set to hit the course, many area roadways are shut down as a result.

Motorists are being advised to use alternate routes to avoid areas along the race course.

The city released the following information regarding planned closures:

ROAD CLOSURES

Sunday, November 22

For the Half and Full Marathons, due to enhanced security, City of Philadelphia "no-parking" regulations will be enforced strictly and all vehicles on the race route will be towed, beginning at 2 a.m. on Sunday. In addition, on Sunday, the Parkway, from 18th to 25th streets, will be closed, from 3 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other streets along the race course will reopen as runners pass by and the streets are cleaned.

The following streets will be affected across the city on November 22:

- 18th Street, from Arch to Callowhill streets

- 19th Street, from Arch to Callowhill streets

- 20th Street, from Arch to Callowhill streets

- 21st Street, from Spring Garden to Arch streets

- 22nd Street, from Spring Garden to Arch streets

- Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 22nd to 16th streets

- Arch Street, between 16th to 4th streets

- 4th Street Arch to Vine streets

- Race Street, from 4th Street to Columbus Boulevard

- Columbus Boulevard (Southbound lanes), Vine Street to Washington Avenue

- Southbound off-ramp, from I-95 at Washington Avenue

- Washington Avenue, from Columbus Boulevard to Front Street

- Front Street, from Washington Avenue to South Street

- South Street, Front to 6th streets

- 6th Street, Bainbridge to Market streets

- Chestnut Street, 6th to 34th streets

- 34th Street, Chestnut Street to Girard Avenue

- Lansdowne Drive, Girard Avenue to South Concourse Drive

- South Concourse Drive, Lansdowne Drive to West Memorial Hall Drive

- West Memorial Hall Drive, South Concourse to Avenue of the Republic

- Avenue of the Republic, West Memorial Hall Drive to Centennial Circle

- Black Road

- Martin Luther King Drive

- Kelly Drive

- The Falls Bridge

- Ridge Avenue, Schoolhouse Lane to Manayunk Avenue

- Main Street, from Ridge Avenue to Green Lane

Motorists and pedestrians can expect significant delays when trying to cross roads or streets that are adjacent to the course. Police will allow traffic through intersections along the course, when possible, depending on the flow of the race participants. All streets are scheduled to be reopened by 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 22

For more information on marathon-related streets closures, visit www.philadelphiamarathon.com

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

SEPTA will operate normal weekend schedules on Saturday and Sunday. Regular fares will apply for all travel. Runners, spectators and others headed to the affected areas are encouraged to use rail alternatives including Trolleys, Subways, and Regional Rail to avoid potential surface travel delays. Suburban Station on the Regional Rail Lines and 15th Street/City Hall Station from the Broad Street, Market-Frankford and Trolley lines provide easy walking access to the Parkway.

Sunday, November 22

More than 30 SEPTA bus routes and the Route 15 Trolley will operate with detours due to the Philadelphia Marathon and Half Marathon. Riders are encouraged to use rail transportation, specifically the Broad Street and Market Frankford subway lines to avoid surface travel delays.

Beginning at 2 a.m., Bus Routes 7, 32, 33, 38, 43, and 48 will begin detour routings around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway area due to race preparations. These routes will remain as detours until race events conclude.

At 6 a.m., Bus Routes 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 12, 16, 17, 21, 23, 25, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 38, 40, 42, 43, 47, 47M, 48, 57, 61, 64, 65, 124 and 125 begin detour routings, which will remain in effect until race activities conclude, likely around 10:30 a.m. in Center City.

Additionally, service on the Route 15 trolley will be replaced with two different bus routes starting at 6 a.m., one for West Philadelphia and one for the North Philadelphia/Fishtown portion of the route. No service will operate between 40th and 29th streets. Customers who need to connect between both portions of the route can connect via the Market Frankford Line at Girard and 40th Street Stations.

SEPTA offers a travel guide for affected riders, now available online at: http://www.septa.org/events/philadelphia-marathon.html

Fans heading to Sunday's 1 p.m. Eagles-Buccaneers game are encouraged to use Sports Express Train service on the Broad Street Line. Ten additional trains will depart Fern Rock Transportation Center starting at 10:10 a.m., making express station stops on route to AT&T Station adjacent to Lincoln Financial Field. Convenient transfers are available to the Broad Street Line at Fern Rock and Suburban Stations. Parking at all SEPTA-owned Regional Rail lots is free on weekends.

Patrons traveling during this time are encouraged to check in advance of departure for specific route-change information and travel alternatives. Riders also are encouraged to follow @SEPTA on Twitter for real-time service information. Customer service agents will be available throughout the weekend at 215-580-7800 and on Twitter @septa_social. For updates and information about New Jersey public transit visit http://www.njtransit.org.

The Philly PHLASH Downtown Bus Loop also offers convenient transportation to key destinations throughout Center City. Hop on the PHLASH at one of its 22 stops ($2 per ride or $5 all-day). Find PHLASH on-the-go with live updates at www.RidePhillyPHLASH.com.

PARKING

Center City -- the start and finish location of the marathon -- is compact and walkable. On Marathon weekend, runners and spectators are encouraged to walk to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway or use public transportation, particularly on Sunday, November 22. No on-street parking is permitted along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, starting Friday, November 20th. If driving is necessary, commercial off-street parking lots and garages are located conveniently in the Parkway vicinity. Some lots have an automated teller unit, upon exiting. Contact individual facilities in advance for rates and availability, or visit the Philadelphia Parking Authority's website at http://philapark.org/ for a list of parking options. The GORE-TEX Philadelphia Marathon is not affiliated with any of these parking facilities.

CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS

The cultural institutions along or near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will experience the greatest impact of the race. They generally will maintain normal weekend hours of operation on Saturday, November 22 and Sunday, November 22. These institutions include: Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Academy of Natural Sciences, Barnes Foundation, Fairmount Water Works, The Franklin Institute, Free Library of Philadelphia/Parkway Central Library, The Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design, Philadelphia Museum of Art & the Perelman Building Annex, Rodin Museum, and Eastern State Penitentiary. Parking may be available at or near the cultural institutions, but using public transportation is strongly encouraged. Please refer to the institutions' individual websites for information on exhibit hours, ticket-admission and parking accommodations, or go to parkwaymuseumsdistrict.org.

VENUE & PUBLIC SAFETY INFORMATION

Spectators, motorists, runners, patrons of the cultural institutions and all visitors to the Parkway district are urged to proceed with caution, arrive promptly and expect delays.

SECURITY PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION

On Sunday, November 22nd, there will be enhanced public safety efforts by the City of Philadelphia and Philadelphia Police Department to ensure the enjoyment and safety of everyone at the race. Runners and attendees may experience delays upon arrival, and authorities urge patience.

The race Start/Finish areas, spanning the entire width of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, from 18th to 25th streets, will be a Secure Zone. Checkpoints have been established for those entering the starting area and ALL visitors and runners will be screened. All items are subject to inspection and re-inspection at entry and beyond that point. Entry checkpoints are at 18th, 20th, 22nd streets as well as 25th Street and Kelly Drive.

Allow time for possessions to be thoroughly searched by security detail at checkpoints along the Parkway perimeter. It is strongly recommended that spectators and runners limit what they take into the race area, bringing only essentials (limit bags, backpacks, or satchels). All bags are subject to search. Leave no bags or items unattended. In an emergency or to report a suspicious person, activity or item (a backpack, a package or container), notify a police officer immediately or call 9-1-1. Do not try to open, move, cover or touch a suspicious item.

ENTRY GUIDELINES:

- Runners should arrive early for entry to the start-finish line areas. Entry begins at 5 a.m.

- Runners should plan ahead, allowing time to get through designated entry checkpoints.

- The start of the race will not be delayed due to lines at security checkpoints.

- Runners should have their race bibs fastened and visible on the front of their jerseys at arrival.

- Spectators are strongly discouraged from carrying bags. If they do so, clear bags are strongly encouraged.

- All bags will be subject to inspection.

- Only clear plastic bags will be accepted at the runners' Gear Check.

- Runners should arrive with the event-issued gear check tag (top of bib tear-off strip) affixed to their bags.

- Small personal-item or hydration packs/bags/belts are permitted but are subject to a search.

- Factory-sealed, plastic water bottles (1 per person up to 1 liter) permitted.

- All items deemed dangerous or inappropriate will be confiscated or denied access at the sole discretion of security personnel.

Attendees are encouraged to visit www.philadelphiamarathon.com for complete information on items permitted at the venue, as well as other pertinent event information.