Construction On Ben Franklin Parkway In Full Swing In Preparation Of Papal Visit
By Dan Wing
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Just one week out from the Festival of Families on the Ben Franklin Parkway, construction of the main stage continues to move along.
With thousands of workers putting in long shifts, the construction is coming along quickly. The 100-foot wide arch over the stage is done, and workers are now putting in platforms for musical performers and seating, and beginning work on light and sound rigging.
Scott Mirkin is President of ESM Productions, the company charged with setting up, and he says that around the clock work will continue all week.
"On live events, you do work right up to what we call 'doors.' And so the doors open very, very early on Saturday," Mirkin says. "There will still be some things we'll still be doing, but this will begin to look like the event by Thursday."
Crews were also busy building platforms on the Oval, and installing towers for sound and the massive Televisions that will line the Parkway.
The area is already cut off from all vehicle and foot traffic.
