Thousands of people will flock to Philadelphia over the weekend for Pope Francis’ historic visit.
With 2 million people expected to travel along the Pennsylvania Turnpike on September 26th and 27th, officials are warning drivers to be prepared for major delays.
Governor Tom Wolf along with PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike have launched a detailed travelers’ website to help people plan accordingly.
The site is linked to both PennDOT’s 511PA site and the Turnpike’s travelers’ information site.
It will provide drivers will real-time traffic updates, details on how to reach the papal venues, information about road closures as well as alternate routes for those who are traveling through or around the region.
There’s also information about which highways and streets are close
Officials with the PA Turnpike Commission say on the two key days, Saturday and Sunday, drivers could see traffic stopped as far back as Lebanon, Lancaster and possibly even Harrisburg.
“It’s going to be like a snowstorm of like a major holiday on the turnpike roadway all across the Southeastern PA region so we’ve been warning our customers to brace for additional delays on the Turnpike and to really avoid the region if at all possible unless you’re heading to downtown Philly,” said Carl Defebo with the PA Turnpike Commission.
Pope Francis will arrive in Washington DC Tuesday afternoon.
He will then go to New York before arriving in Philadelphia on September 26th.
For more information on the World Meeting of Families, click here.