AAA expects Memorial Day weekend traffic to be busier than last year

Memorial Day weekend signals a major shift in traffic patterns in the Philadelphia region. Thousands of people will head to the shore producing heavy volume on the I-95 and on the AC and Garden State Expressways.
Then on Monday many of the same major routes will be packed with returning weekend warriors.

Also, expect congestion this weekend around the new Barnes Foundation in Center City.

This year, AAA expects lots of cars on the roads. “With gas prices coming down over the holiday AAA is expecting an increase in motor travel,” said PENNDOT spokesman Charles Metzger. “Typically you’ll find increased traffic on the interstates, expressways and the Pennsylvania turnpike heading to the shore.”

Metzger says drivers should check traffic ahead of time via PENNDOT’s 300-camera traffic management system at 511pa.com Or he encourages passengers or drivers with hands-free devices to call 511.

“For every 5 minutes of incident there’s half an hour of congestion,” he said.

Metzger encourages motorists to be sure their vehicles have proper tire pressure, a full gas tank and works properly to avoid any incidents.

Metzger also said drivers won’t see any construction for the weekend, although they may see some barricades that must remain on construction sites.

PENNDOT also announced that it would be partnering with the state and local police on “Click It or Ticket” campaign through June 10.

“With the busy Memorial Day weekend signaling the start of the summer travel season, I strongly encourage everyone to buckle up every time, no matter how far you’re traveling,” PennDOT Secretary Barry J. Schoch said in a press release. “Buckling up is the easiest way to keep you and your loved ones safe; it can increase your chance of surviving a crash by up to 60 percent.”

The release also cites that drives and passengers in Pennsylvania under the age of 18 must always have a seat belt fastened, children four years or younger must be in a car seat and children between four and eight must ride in a booster seat.

Those taking the Broad Steet and Market/Frankford lines in the city must also note that there will be some stairway and corridor closures.

Allens Lane from Germantown Avenue to Bryan Street in Mt. Airy will still be closed to all but local closure.