The Wawa Welcome America 4th of July Festival is set to bring an array of celebrations, including concerts and festivities, to Philadelphia this year. However, with these exciting events comes significant transportation disruptions that residents and visitors should be aware of.
Starting from Wednesday, July 2 until Saturday, July 5, various roads throughout the city will be closed or restricted in a bid to accommodate the influx of activities.
On July 3, the north traffic lane on Market Street between 5th and 6th Streets will be closed from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. Additionally, the pedestrian sidewalk on the north side of Market Street will also be closed.
The following day, July 4, kicks off the Salute to Independence Parade, leading to extensive road closures from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on several streets. Streets affected include 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Streets, all between Market Street and Walnut Street. Moreover, Front Street from Dock Street to Market Street will be closed starting at 7 a.m., as will Chestnut Street between 6th Street and Front Street, which will remain closed until 2 p.m.
A myriad of streets will also be closed from 10:30 a.m. until the conclusion of the Salute to Independence Parade. These include multiple blocks of 5th to 13th Streets and segments of JFK Boulevard and North Broad Street. Residents in those areas should anticipate limited access during the parade.
As the festivities continue into the evening, additional road closures will commence on July 4 for the Concert and Fireworks celebration. Starting at 5 a.m. that day, numerous roads will be closed, including Race Street, parts of Vine Street, and several Interstate ramps at 22nd Street. Local access will be maintained for residents but traffic will still be significantly impacted.
From 5 a.m. on July 4 until 4 a.m. the next day, the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Eakins Oval will see closures as preparations for the fireworks take precedence. Furthermore, Kelly Drive will also experience closures from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m. on July 5.
By 1 p.m. on July 4, the road closures will expand even further, affecting all roads from Arch Street to Spring Garden Street, 18th Street to 22nd Street. Local access will be maintained where possible, but road access will be primarily restricted.
As crowds gather for the event, safety becomes paramount. Certain streets, such as 16th and 17th Streets, will be closed solely based on public safety conditions. The same holds true for portions of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, whose closure will also occur if warranted due to crowd size.
To effectively manage the influx of people and mitigate congestion, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has announced an array of detours for their services. From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 4, routes including 4, 5, 7, 9, and others will experience re-routing due to the event.
More extensive detours will come into effect from 3 p.m. until 5 a.m. the following day, affecting routes like 7, 32, and 38.
City officials strongly encourage residents and visitors to plan their trips ahead of time, utilizing alternative routes and public transportation options whenever feasible. Increased congestion is expected due to the high volume of attendees participating in the celebratory events planned for the Festival.
In summary, the Wawa Welcome America 4th of July Festival promises to be an exciting celebration, packed with activities for everyone. Nevertheless, those planning to attend should prepare for significant road closures and transportation changes to ensure a smooth experience during the event.
Philadelphia authorities have provided this information in an effort to keep the public informed and safe during the festival period. As always, the city recommends that attendees remain aware of their surroundings and adhere to traffic and safety guidelines provided during this festive week.
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