Manayunk and Roxborough Pope Notes: Preparing For the Pope Visit

By KARA SEYMOUR and STEPHEN SILVER (Patch Staff)

Compared to some parts of the city, Manayunk and Roxborough have things relatively easy for the upcoming visit of Pope Francis.

The Pope himself isn’t coming to Manayunk. It’s far outside of the zone in which cars are being towed and pedestrian traffic is restricted. Main Street and all other streets will be open (although I-76 will be closed.) In fact, the Manayunk Development Corporation said earlier this week that most of Manayunk is open for business Pope weekend- and that many restaurants and other businesses will announce specials for the week.

Meanwhile, the Secret Service has released new details surrounding security during thePope’s visit to Philadelphia.

A map released this week by the Secret Service shows two “Secure zones,” which will be surrounded by security checkpoints. The Pope’s speech on Independence Hall, scheduled for 4:45 p.m. on Saturday, will be for ticket holders only. A secure zone will be set up in that area.

The Parkway secure zone, which surrounds the art museum, has been set up where the Pope will give a public mass on 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 27. There is a section for ticket holders only, as well as a public section but all must go through security.

The following items are prohibited through the security checkpoints:

• Aerosols

• Ammunition

• Animals, except for service animals

• Backpacks and bags exceeding 18” x 13” x 7”

• Balloons

• Bicycles

• Drones

• Explosives, firearms, or weapons

• Glass, thermal, or metal containers

• Hard-sided coolers (soft-sided thermal coolers are allowed)

• Laser pointers

• Mace or pepper spray

• Packages

• Selfie sticks

• Signs exceeding 5’ x 3’ x 1/4” made of any material except cardboard, poster board, or cloth

• Structures

• Supports for signs and placards

• Toy guns

According to the Secret Service map, the following streets have been identified as pedestrian routes to all event sites during the Pope’s visit, Sept 26 and 27.

• Poplar Street from Poplar Drive to N 27th Street

• N 27th Street from Poplar Drive to Parrish Street

• Parrish Street from N 27th Street to N 20th Street

• N 20th Street from Parrish Street to Green Street

• Green Street from N 20th Street to N Broad Street

• N Broad Street from points north to Callowhill Street

• N 19th Street from Green Street to Spring Garden Street

• Spring Garden Street from N 19th Street to N Broad Street

• Callowhill Street from N Broad Street to N 2nd Street

• N 11th Street from Callowhill Street to Filbert Street

• N 5th Street from Callowhill Street to the East Side of Franklin Square and the WB ramp of I-676 (Ben Franklin Bridge)

• Ben Franklin Bridge (WB lanes only) to Camden, NJ

• N 2nd & S 2nd Streets from Callowhill Street to Dock Street

• Dock Street from S 2nd Street to Spruce Street

• Spruce Street from Dock Street to S 18th Street

• S 10th Street between Locust Street and Spruce Street

• S Broad Street from Locust Street to all points South toward the Sports Complex

• S 18th Street from Spruce Street to Walnut Street

• S 19th Street from Walnut Street to Chestnut Street

• ·Chestnut Street from S 19th Street, past 33rd Street and points West

• Walnut Street from S 18th Street to 33rd Street

• South Street from Convention Avenue and University of Pennsylvania’s Franklin Field to 33rd Street

• 33rd Street to Chestnut Street

• Schuylkill Av from Market Street to Walnut Street

Click here to view Patch’s complete guide to the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia.