KING OF PRUSSIA, Pennsylvania (July 21, 2016 — PRNewswire-USNewswire) — In preparation for the upcoming Democratic National Convention, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today issued a reminder that 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 from Saturday, July 23 at 12:00 PM, until midday Friday, July 29.
In addition, the I-95 northbound and southbound exit ramps at the Broad Street/Route 611 (Exit 17) Interchange in South Philadelphia will be closed to all traffic on Friday, July 22 at 8:00 PM. The ramps are scheduled to reopen by midday Friday, July 29.
The rerouting of commercial vehicles off I-95 and the closure of the I-95 exit ramps at the Broad Street/Route 611 (Exit 17) Interchange are associated with the security for the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in South Philadelphia.
All interstate highways and expressways in the Philadelphia region will remain open to passenger vehicles throughout the convention. However, commuters and commercial truck drivers are advised to allow additional time for travel on Interstate 76, Interstate 676 and Route 291 during the week of the convention because these highways will experience heavier traffic volumes due to commercial vehicles being diverted off I-95.
Among the types of commercial vehicles to be restricted from traveling on this nine-mile stretch of I-95 during the convention are 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, and all tractor trailer combinations including double trailers.
Motor homes and recreational trailers operated for personal use and weighing more than five tons also will be restricted from using this part of I-95.
The posted detours for drivers of vehicles over five tons to follow to return to I-95 once they exit the interstate are:
- From I-95 north: Route 291 (Penrose Avenue) east, to 26th Street, to I-76 west, to I-676 east; and
- From I-95 south: I-676 west, to I-76 east, to 26th Street, to Route 291(Penrose Avenue) west.
When the vehicle restriction is in effect, the northbound and southbound entrance ramps to I-95 between Exit 13 and Exit 22 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.
At the I-95 interchange at Broad Street/Route 611 (Exit 17), the northbound exit ramp will be closed for the duration of the convention. The southbound exit ramp will be open intermittently, but only for access to the Navy Yard. The southbound exit-ramp will be closed:
- Friday, July 22, at 8:00 PM to Saturday, July 23, at 6:00 AM;
- Monday, July 25, at 2:00 PM to Tuesday, July 26, at 2:00 AM;
- Tuesday, July 26, at 2:00 PM to Wednesday, July 27, at 2:00 AM;
- Wednesday, July 27, at 2:00 PM to Thursday, July 28, at 2:00 AM; and
- Thursday, July 28, at 2:00 PM to midday Friday, July 29.
The posted detours for motorists to follow during the closure of the I-95 exit ramps at Broad Street (Route 611/Exit 17) are:
- From I-95 North: Route 291 (Penrose Avenue) east, to Moyamensing Avenue, to Oregon Avenue to Broad Street (Route 611); and
- From I-95 South: Enterprise Avenue, to Island Avenue, to Route 291 (Penrose Avenue) east, to Moyamensing Avenue, to Oregon Avenue to Broad Street (Route 611).
PennDOT and its regional transportation partners are using 109 permanent and portable electronic message signs to inform commercial drivers and travelers of I-95 restrictions in Philadelphia during this special event. Informational messages began running Saturday, July 16, and will continue until the end of the convention.
To assist residents and visitors before and during the convention, PennDOT launched www.511PA.com/DNC – a detailed travelers’ website. The site’s home page offers options to see information about real-time traffic conditions on highways in the Philadelphia region and lists street closures around the convention venue. This site is accessible from both desktop and mobile interfaces.
To further help travelers during the convention, PennDOT will:
- Not close travel lanes on the following interstate highways and expressways for construction and maintenance activities from Sunday night, July 24, to Friday morning, July 29: I-76; I-95 between I-676 and I-476; I-476; I-676; U.S. 202 between Route 29 and I-76; and U.S. 422 between U.S. 202 and Route 23; and
- Operate its State Farm Safety Patrol tow truck service around-the-clock from Saturday, July 23, to Friday, July 29, to expedite the reopening of travel lanes resulting from breakdowns or incidents. The daylong service will be in place on I-76; I-95 between Route 63 and the Delaware state line; I-476; I-676; U.S. 202 between Boot Road and I-76; and U.S. 422 between U.S. 202 and Route 29.
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 770 traffic cameras.