City Announces Multiple Updates to MLK Drive Weekend Closure for Recreation Schedule

There will be no vehicle closure on October 26-27 due to regatta; Extended vehicle closure for Thanksgiving from November 28 to December 1 will mark final weekend of the season

PHILADELPHIA - The City of Philadelphia Department of Streets, Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS), and Philadelphia Parks and Recreation (PPR), announced the suspension of the MLK Drive Weekend Closure for Recreation on Saturday, October 26 and Sunday, October 27 due to the 54th Head of the Schuylkill Regatta. MLK Drive will remain open to motor vehicles as it serves as a key point of access for regatta competitors and audience members.

In addition, the City released the remaining recreation closure schedule for the season:

• October 26-27- No vehicle closure due to Regatta
• November 2-3- Regular weekend vehicle closure
• November 9-11- Extended vehicle closure for Veterans Day holiday
• November 23-24- Regular weekend vehicle closure
• November 28-December 1- Extended vehicle closure for Thanksgiving holiday / Last weekend for seasonal vehicle closure

The 2024 seasonal closure beganon the weekend of March 30-31 with previous extended closures occurring on the Independence Day, Labor Day, and Indigenous Peoples' Day holidays.

Seasonally since 1995, MLK Drive has been closed to vehicular traffic on weekends creating a safer experience for walkers, joggers, and cyclists to enjoy the warmer months. The Department of Streets, OTIS, and PPR work together to oversee the program. The closure offers expanded recreational space to residents between April and November when there is significant pedestrian and bicycle traffic using the trails and parks along the Schuylkill River.

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, MLK Drive was completely closed to vehicular traffic between Spring 2020 through August 2021. In August 2021, MLK Drive reopened to vehicles, but weekend closures remained in place during spring, summer, and fall months. The 2023 seasonal closure coincided with the start of the MLK Drive Bridge rehabilitation projectand ran from April 1 through November 26.

Trail users can still access MLK Drive between the East Falls Bridge and the construction zone south of Sweetbriar Drive. The City has updated a detour route map on the MLK Drive Bridge project page. The detour route map shows the official trail detour route and an alternative route. The detour routes are for both directions from the MLK Drive Trail to the Art Museum.

MLK Drive is closed to traffic through gates that monitored by City staff during the day and locked overnight. The Philadelphia Police Departmentsupports this program as Traffic Police District Teams are responsible for closing and reopening the roadway.

If trail users notice any issues with gates and closures during the weekend, please contact the City by emailing [email protected].

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