Just a few days remain until the much awaited presidential debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris.
Most of Saturday was spent by workers erecting barricades around the National Constitution Center. The city is alerting locals to expect traffic jams and detours near the area, and security will be strict.
Old City resident Aaron Gamble predicted that traffic will be heavy down below, as it usually is during festivals.
Police temporarily stopped lanes on Saturday evening, just blocks from Gamble’s residence, while barricades were erected around Franklin Square Park and down 5th, 6th, and 7th streets prior to the implementation of traffic restrictions.
“I know not to drive during that time so I may park my car somewhere else maybe away from the traffic,” Gamble stated.
The city announced that Race and Arch Streets near the Constitution Center will close as of Tuesday morning. Market Street is going to stay open.
“I work from home but my partner commutes to New Jersey so I think she’s going to have to figure out a different plan for those coming days so will probably add maybe 15 minutes hopefully no more to her commute,” Aaron Mason stated.
The Ben Franklin Bridge’s eastbound lanes into New Jersey will close following the evening rush hour, according to the city. The routes heading west will stay open.
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Mason recently made this move from Boston. He stated that since both camps are focused on winning Pennsylvania, the extra traffic is a reasonable price to pay to have the debate in his backyard.
“We were excited to register here and have a chance to vote, it’s cool to be in a place where your vote make more of an impact than in Boston,” Mason stated.
In addition, the city warned of potential protests both before and after the discussion, as well as lingering delays on the nearby roads. Some highways might not reopen until Wednesday, they said.
