As Philadelphia gears up to host the presidential debate, city officials have released plans for road closures, parking restrictions, and other details.
The debate will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 10, at 9 p.m., at the National Constitution Center at 6th and Arch Streets. Hosted by ABC News, it is the only scheduled debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the November Presidential Election.
Here is everything you need to know:
Road closures
There will be closures for vehicle and pedestrian traffic, mass transit detours, and possible rolling street closures related to the event.
On Monday, Sept. 9, residents may experience increased traffic and temporary lane closures in the area near and around the National Constitution Center as event-related preparation gets underway.
Beginning early morning Tuesday, Sept. 10, street closures will be in effect from Arch to Market streets, between 4th and 7th streets. The 6th Street exit of I-676 eastbound will also be closed. No one will be permitted inside those secure closure points. Arch and Race streets will remain closed throughout the duration of the event, and closures will remain in effect until the event area is cleared, which is expected Wednesday.
Access to eastbound lanes for the Ben Franklin Bridge from I-676 into New Jersey is slated to close after rush hour Tuesday for the debate. Westbound lanes of the Ben Franklin Bridge into Philadelphia will remain open.
Temporary highway and street shutdowns and rolling road closures may be necessary due to public safety necessity and anticipated protests and demonstrations happening throughout the area.
Public safety
According to city officials, the Philadelphia Police Department will send “significant resources” to the area to manage traffic and crowd control. The City’s Emergency Operations Center will be activated Tuesday as well.
Officials also noted that FAA regulations prohibit the use of drones above crowds, and if anyone sees a drone, they are encouraged to report the location and description of the operator.
Stay updated
Road closures, reopening, and other details regarding the debate will be published on the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, City of Philadelphia, and the Philadelphia Police Department’s social media pages. People can also sign up for free ReadyPhiladelphia alerts by texting READYPHILA to 888-777.
How to watch the debate
The 2024 Presidential Debate begins at 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 10. It will air on ABC and stream on ABC News Live, Disney+ and Hulu. ABC News Live is available on most streaming platforms. Viewers can also watch the debate live online at ABC.com.
