Official: Not enough parking spots in Camden for pope visit

CAMDEN, N.J. (WPVI) -- People who want to see Pope Francis in Philadelphia next month had better bring their walking shoes.

Transportation officials in New Jersey laid out plans Thursday to accommodate what's expected to be several hundred thousand people passing through on the way to Philadelphia on September 26th and 27th.

Many will be funneled through Camden, where buses will park. Attendees will be required to walk several miles from Camden over the Ben Franklin Bridge and to the site of Sunday's Mass on Ben Franklin Parkway.

Officials are recommending people not to use their cars to visit Philadelphia.

"There are not enough parking spots in Camden City, in Camden County, or in this region to accommodate the people that want to go to this event. That is a fact," Jamie Fox, Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, said.

In fact, officials say there will be zero private parking places in Camden.

Sam Schwartz of the New Jersey Department of Transportation said Thursday that anyone not ready to walk a significant distance should consider staying home.

He also said New Jersey residents and motorists passing through who aren't headed to Philadelphia should stay at least 50 miles away to avoid traffic jams.

Schwartz said if you're planning on driving to Philadelphia to see the pope, leave no later than Thursday morning and make sure you have sleeping arrangements in advance.

On top of having comfortable shoes, Schwartz recommends attendees should bring light colored clothing, a flashlight, an extra day of medicine, and a fully charged phone.

He says to save battery power and turn off your wifi or turn your phone off unless needed.

Schwartz says attendees should designate a meeting spot with others and should not solely rely on cell service.

He says if you are taking a charter bus, make sure it is credentialed with the World Meeting of Families.

Officials announced the following road closures during the papal visit:

In conjunction with the closure of the Ben Franklin Bridge, I-676 NB will be closed from Exit 3 in Camden to the bridge beginning 10:00 p.m. Friday, September 25th to 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Monday, September 28th.

I-676 SB will also be closed coming off the Ben Franklin Bridge, but all entrance ramps south of the bridge will remain open so motorists trying to exit the Camden area can do so.

US Route 30 Westbound will be closed from Bear Boulevard in Camden to the Ben Franklin Bridge beginning 10:00 p.m. Friday, September 25th to 12:00 p.m. (Noon) Monday, September 28th.

US Route 30 Eastbound will also be closed coming off the Ben Franklin Bridge, but motorists looking to exit Camden can enter eastbound and travel to Route 130.

Buses from NJ Transit will have access to these closed parts of Route 30.

Additional closures may be expected.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.