The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) on Thursday announced a slew of traffic restrictions and alternate plans for the Philadelphia region as a result of security concerns for the Democratic National Convention in July.
Most notably, the state agency announced that commercial vehicles weighing more than five tons will be prohibited from traveling on Interstate 95 between Exit 13 (Interstate 76 West/Route 291/Valley Forge) and Exit 22 (Interstate 676) in Philadelphia from Saturday, July 23 at noon until midday Friday, July 29.
PennDOT Secretary Leslie S. Richards said the agency, along with regional transportation authorities, will use a combination of electronic message boards and stationary signs to guide commercial truck drivers along alternate routes during the temporary restriction.
The restrictions apply to such commercial vehicles as: delivery trucks, utility vehicles, parcel trucks, small dump trucks, buses, flatbed and stake trucks, refrigerated and box trucks, large delivery trucks, refuse trucks, cement mixers, and all tractor-trailer combinations including double trailers. Motor homes and recreational trailers operated for personal use and weighing more than five tons will also be restricted from traveling on this section of I-95.
To assist those traveling to Philadelphia for the convention, PennDOT will launch a travelers' website in July. The website will provide real-time traffic information, color-coded maps showing how traffic is flowing and other valuable information.
