City dwellers looking for a weekend escape won't have to venture far as MLK Drive shuts down to cars and opens up for recreational bliss starting March 30. According to the City of Philadelphia, the beloved tradition of closing MLK Drive to motor traffic is set for another season, kicking off right on cue with the Easter weekend shenanigans. Spanning from the East Falls Bridge to Sweetbriar Drive, the road will be a no-go zone for vehicles from Saturday mornings at 7 a.m. through to Monday's early birds at 7 a.m.
For years since its inception in 1995, the seasonal weekend closure of MLK Drive has provided pedestrians, cyclists, and joggers with a safe haven to get their fitness fix. The initiative responds to the increased activity around the Schuylkill River trails and parks during Philly's sunnier spells, offering more elbow room for everyone—not to mention a scenic view. While the plentiful Schuylkill River Trail is a hit with locals, MLK Drive offers a traffic-free alternative that takes the edge off congestion and allows everyone some well-deserved space.
In a combined effort that showcases the synergy of city departments, the Department of Streets, Philadelphia Parks and Recreation, and the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure diligently collaborate on the seasonal program. Last year's closures dovetailed with the MLK Drive Bridge's facelift, which lasted from the fresh blooms of April 1 through to the last leaf of November 26. Through these months, the bridge's rehab project was the talk of the town—yet the seasonal closures on MLK Drive paved the way for an uninterrupted community retreat.
Even with the MLK Drive Bridge playing hard to get due to ongoing construction, there’s no dead end for trail enthusiasts. Cluing into official city updates, a detour map guides users from the confides of MLK Drive up to the doorstep of the Art Museum—complete with painted bike lines and pedestrian-friendly sidewalks. From Sweetbriar Drive, the reroute will have strollers hitting Lansdowne Drive, skirting along 34th Street, and breezing down Spring Garden Street, culminating at the museum's famed steps.
And for those apt to worry about wayward drivers taking a wrong turn, their fears can be put to bed. The city staff diligently deploy gate closures during the day and secure locks once the moon makes its rounds. To round off the safety measures, the Philadelphia Police Department has been looped in, with its traffic teams managing the closures and ensuring a smooth transition between the weekly recreational utopia and the return of regular traffic come Monday morning.
