Bridge to Philadelphia may close during papal visit

CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) - A major bridge connecting Philadelphia and New Jersey may be closed to cars when the pope visits in September.

The Secret Service tells The Philadelphia Inquirer that the decision has not been made yet on whether cars will be allowed on the Ben Franklin Bridge when Pope Francis is in town in September.

The Delaware River Port Authority says a closure is possible though it's not in the plan currently.

One possibility is keeping cars off the bridge but leaving it open to pedestrians who could walk from southern New Jersey into Philadelphia.

Officials are planning for hundreds of thousands of people to cram into Philadelphia to see the leader of the Roman Catholic church.

Mass transit schedules are being modified to accommodate the crowds.

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