Details of Security Perimeter for Pope’s Visit Emerge

It’s official, Center City – the fence is real.

The map shows different levels of security within Center City for the time of the pope’s visit.

The security fence that was rumored for the pope’s visit is turning out to be an actuality, despite all the times that city officials said that it wasn’t. Maps were released yesterday showing the parts of Center City that will be affected. The so-called “traffic box” will make it nearly impossible for vehicles to get around within it, and some areas will need to have cars removed entirely.

The mayor announced yesterday that vehicles will need to be removed entirely from the “secure vehicle perimeter,” which covers parts of Center City, the Art Museum District and Old City. Only vehicles parked in closed garages will be allowed to stay within the perimeter. Pedestrians will be able to move within the perimeter but they will need to be ticketed and/or screened before they can enter. In addition, all of Center City will be enclosed within a “traffic box.” Vehicles will be allowed to drive within the traffic box, but they can’t leave and come back again. Officials also warned that, with untold thousands of pedestrians afoot, it might be hard to drive around.

A physical fence will be erected near the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and in parts of Old City where the pope is planning on appearing. Mayor Nutter said that food and beverages should be allowed within these fences, but that the city is still working on lists of what items will be allowed and prohibited. There will be a staggered timeline of when all the security measures will fall into place, starting on the Thursday before the pope’s visit.