Roads closed for city celebrations
A guide to which roads will be closed for Welcome America on July 3 and 4.
The parades and parties in Philadelphia mean more than a few blocks will be blocked. Here's a rundown for today, July 4 and 5. For more event information, click on highlighted names, or go to www.welcomeamerica.com. For transit info, see SEPTA's guide to schedule changes and extra services.
TUESDAY-WEDNESDAY
Staging on Chestnut Street for concert, parade, ceremony. The 500 block of Chestnut Street (behind Independence Hall) will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, including during POPS on Independence Concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Independence Hall, and Celebration of Freedom Ceremony and Independence Day Parade on Wednesday morning.
Partial and full Parkway-area closures. On Tuesday, the eastbound inner drive of the Ben Franklin Parkway will close at 9:30 a.m. and the westbound inner drive will close about 6:30 p.m. On Wednesday, Eakins Oval and all drives on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will close at 6 a.m. and remain so through the Party on the Parkway (4-7 p.m.) and the evening's Philly 4th of July Jam & Grand Finale Fireworks. Beginning at 4 p.m., additional roads closed include Fairmount at Corinthian, and Spring Garden at Broad Street. Closures will extend beyond the Parkway, stretching to Arch Street at the peak of the event, according to police. Closures for cleanups could also happen Thursday.
WEDNESDAY, JULY FOURTH
Celebration of Freedom Ceremony and Independence Day Parade. Closures for 10 a.m. Independence Hall ceremony and 11 a.m.-12:30 parade in Independence Mall area, include Fifth and Sixth Streets, from Walnut to Arch (starting at 6 a.m.). Ninth Street, from Walnut to Market, and Chestnut, from Front to Seventh (7 a.m.). Chestnut Street, from Seventh to Tenth; Market Street, from Front to 11th; and Front, from Dock to Arch (9:30 a.m.). Sons of the Revolution Parade will be on Walnut, from Front to Sixth; around Independence Mall area; Second Street, from Chestnut to Dock; and on 38th Parallel, from Spruce to Dock.
Contact staff writer Peter Mucha at 215-854-4342 or pmucha@phillynews.com.