Montco Readying For Increased Traffic Pope Weekend
By Jim Melwert
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) - Montgomery County is continuing their preparations for the Papal visit next month.
Montgomery County director of Public Safety Tom Sullivan says they're preparing for increased traffic not just on roads, highways, and rail lines…but also on the trail system:
"Pennsylvania National Guard will be helping us with deploying troops along the trail system to help keep everybody safe and comfortable for the travel. We'll be giving out bottled water and have people stationed there in case there are any kind of medical needs or bike repairs, that kind of thing."
Sullivan says the National Guard will also help out with traffic control around train and trolley stations that will be operating the weekend of the visit.
County officials say they've asked for helicopters to help transport rapid response teams, boats to patrol the Schuylkill river, and fuel trucks to be on the ready just in case there are any long-term traffic jams.