PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Fans who plan to be out and about Sunday night to watch the Philadelphia Eagles play in Super Bowl LVII should know that the city has announced Center City parking restrictions and road closures for the game.
Some of the preparations for the impromptu celebration that would follow a Super Bowl victory are already visible.
Police have been coordinating with city agencies, county police departments and state troopers to prepare for an Eagles win, gleaning knowledge from past championship celebrations.
“We went as far back as 2008 and looked back at the plans for the Phillies there,” said Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Mike Cram with the city’s Homeland Security and Special Events Bureau.
“Everybody’s on 12 hour shifts. Days off are canceled, and we have plenty of staffing to make sure we can have a good time … we’ll be on the sidewalks.”
Every police officer in the city will be out on the streets, closing off locations like the traditional celebration corners of Frankford & Cottman avenues, Five Points, Broad and Shunk streets, and at City Hall so fans can celebrate there.
The city is already putting up temporary no parking signs around City Hall, and along Broad Street near City Hall. The no parking rules take effect Sunday at noon.
Roads between Spring Garden and Locust streets from 11th to 20th streets will be closed, as well as the Broad Street ramps to the Vine Expressway. Those closures will likely affect some SEPTA bus routes as well.
Cram said road closures could begin as early as the third quarter.
Officials won’t say if they’re greasing the city’s street poles, but there will be bike racks blocking people from climbing them.
“We see a lot of injuries, and it’s dumb,” Cram said.
“Why would you want to ruin everyone else’s good time? Because if you start going to the poles and people start throwing things like they do, that’s when we end the party immediately.”
Related
Cram says that people setting off fireworks could also bring a premature end to festivities.
“When we do see fireworks inside a tightly packed area, we see a lot of injuries and it’s not good. Don’t bring them,” Cram explained
At some point, police will be breaking up the crowds, so people can make the last SEPTA trains, The subway runs until about midnight, while regional rail runs until about 11 p.m.
“We are going to need to get people moving so [they] can catch the last train home,” Cram warns. “Or you’ll be walking.”
Win or lose, School District of Philadelphia schools and Archdiocese of Philadelphia schools within city limits will open two hours late on Monday.
Should the Birds win, Schools Superintendent Tony Watlington says no decision has been made on closing public schools for a possible citywide celebration.
Related
"We're absolutely looking forward to an Eagles win, and we're thinking about it,” Watlington said.
“No decisions just yet. We're going to follow the lead of the city."
Catholic schools aren't waiting, though. The Archdiocese says its schools in the city and high schools in the suburbs will be closed if there is a parade.
The city also said it is not disclosing if or when poles would be greased.