PHILADELPHIA- The City of Philadelphia today released the following details to assist residents and visitors during the 2017 Philly Free Streets, which takes place Saturday, October 28^th from 8am until 1pm.  The details cover road closures, parking restrictions, mass transit, venue details and public safety information.

Philly Free Streets is a people-powered initiative of the City of Philadelphia that temporarily closes streets to cars, inviting people to walk, bike, and play.  Philly Free Streets is completely free and open to the public. All ages are welcome. Participants are welcome to walk, bike, or stroll a 7-mile roundtrip car-free route connecting Philadelphia’s Historic District and El Centro de Oro. Additional information can be found at the Philly Free Streets website.

Philly Free Streets program is generously sponsored by Visit PHILADELPHIA, AARP Pennsylvania, and Inspire. Additional support has been generously provided by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation.

Road Closures
The Philly Free Streets route will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 6:00AM on Saturday, October 28^th, 2017.  Closures include:

• Chestnut Street from 2^nd Street to 5^th Street
• 3^rd Street from Walnut Street to Wood Street
• Vine Street from 3^rd Street to 4^th Street
• 4^th Street from Vine Street to Fairmount Avenue
• Fairmount Avenue from 4^th Street to 3^rd Street
• 3^rd Street from Fairmount Avenue to Germantown Avenue
• Thompson Street from Orianna Street to Germantown Avenue
• Germantown Avenue from Thompson Street to Berks Street
• 4^th Street from Oxford Street to Jefferson Street
• Oxford Street from Lawrence Street to 4^th Street
• 5^th Street from Cecil B. Moore Avenue to Clearfield Street

One-way streets that feed into the Philly Free Streets route will be controlled by PPD and designated local access only.  Residents and businesses will be permitted to access these roads during the event as conditions allow.

The following cross streets will remain open to east-west vehicular traffic for the duration of the event:

• Walnut Street
• Market Street
• Arch Street
• Callowhill Street
• Spring Garden Street
• Girard Avenue
• Cecil B. Moore Avenue
• Berks Street
• Susquehanna Avenue
• Lehigh Avenue
• Clearfield Street

Delays can be expected during the course of event setup and on the date of the event.  Some cross streets may be closed and detoured prior to 6:00AM on Saturday, October 28^th, 2017.  Motorists are advised to avoid the area by using alternate routes, and allow for extra driving time in areas near the event.  Please refrain from double-parking, which creates congestion, limits traffic flow and is illegal.

A complete, road-by-road guide to closures and restrictions associated with Philly Free Streets can be found HERE.

Parking Restrictions
Parking restrictions on the Philly Free Streets route will commence at 12:00PM (Noon) on Friday, October 27^th, 2017.  Parking will be prohibited on the following streets:

• Chestnut Street from 2^nd Street to 5^th Street
• 3^rd Street from Walnut Street to Wood Street
• Vine Street from 3^rd Street to 4^th Street
• 4^th Street from Vine Street to Fairmount Avenue
• Fairmount Avenue from 4^th Street to 3^rd Street
• 3^rd Street from Fairmount Avenue to Germantown Avenue
• Thompson Street from Orianna Street to Germantown Avenue
• Germantown Avenue from Thompson Street to Berks Street
• 4^th Street from Jefferson Street to Oxford Street
• Oxford Street from Lawrence Street to 4^th Street
• 5^th Street from Cecil B. Moore Avenue to Clearfield Street
• Dauphin Street from Reese Street to 5^th Street
• Cumberland Street from Reese Street to 5^th Street
• Huntingdon Street from Reese Street to Orkney Street
• Somerset Street from Reese Street to Orkney Street
• Cambria Street from Reese Street to 5^th Street
• Indiana Avenue from Reese Street to Orkney Street

In addition to the roads directly affected by the Philly Free Streets route, parking will also be prohibited on the following streets starting at 12:00PM (Noon) on Friday, October 27^th, 2017:

• Callowhill Street from 2^nd Street to 6^th Street
• Delaware Avenue from Spring Garden Street to Frankford Avenue (EAST SIDE)
• Lehigh Avenue from 5^th Street to 8^th Street (NORTH SIDE)

Stopping will be permitted in established loading and valet zones on the route until 6:00AM on Saturday, October 28^th.

All parking restrictions will be lifted at 5:00PM on Saturday, October 28^th, 2017.

Residential Permit Parking (RPP) Crossover
As a result of the parking restrictions outlined above, the Philadelphia Parking Authority will permit any vehicle with a RPP #10 to park in the RPP #25 zone beginning on Friday, October 27^th at 12:00PM through 7:00AM on Monday, October 30^th.
Temporary No Parking Signs will be posted along the Philly Free Streets route beginning on Tuesday, October 24^th.  Vehicles parked in restricted locations after 12:00PM on Friday, October 27^th will be towed.  Please obey all posted signs.

Public Transportation

SEPTA is a convenient, affordable way for event-goers to get to and from the Philly Free Streets route.  The following bus routes will be detoured around the Philly Free Streets route:

• Route 5 (beginning at 10:00PM on 10/27)
• Route 9 (beginning at 2:00AM on 10/28)
• Route 21 (beginning at 2:00AM on 10/28)
• Route 42 (beginning at 2:00AM on 10/28)
• Route 39 (beginning at 2:00AM on 10/28)
• Route 47 (beginning at 10:00PM on 10/27)
• Route 57 (beginning at 2:00AM on 10/28)

Real-time SEPTA service changes, alerts and detours can be found on the System Status page HERE.

Broad Street and Market Frankford Line service will operate on a normal weekend schedule throughout the day on Saturday, October 28^th.

Regional Rail parking lot location information is available online at: www.septa.org/parking.

SEPTA can be reached at 215-580-7800 and directly on Twitter @septa_social.  For more information on SEPTA and NJ Transit routes and schedules, visit www.septa.org or call 215-580-7800, and www.njtransit.org or call 973-275-5555.

Venue Details and Public Safety Information
The following items and activities are not permitted on the Philly Free Streets route:

• Motorized transportation (excluding motorized wheelchairs or similar equipment)
• Unauthorized solicitation
• Alcoholic beverages
• Narcotics or illegal drugs
• Bathing in pools or fountains
• Damage to property
• Feeding animals
• Firecrackers or explosives
• Firearms
• Open flame
• Littering (including pet waste)
• Public intoxication
• Unauthorized driving or parking
• Unauthorized vending
• Unleashed animals
• Weapons of any kind

Emergency Preparedness & Weather Alerts
Philly Free Streets is a rain or shine event.  In the case of severe weather, follow the forecast and listen for announcements. To get weather and emergency text alerts for this event, text FreeStreets to 888777. You can also receive customized ReadyPhiladelphia emergency text or e-mail alerts by visiting www.phila.gov/ready.

In the event of an emergency, or to report a suspicious person, activity or item, notify a police officer immediately or call 9-1-1.

For tips and general information about being prepared and ready at special events, read the Special Event Safety Guide before you attend.  Visit: https://alpha.phila.gov/news/oem/office-of-emergency-management-creates-special-events-safety-guide-for-visitors-attending-large-gatherings/