Fenced security zones going up in Philadelphia starting 2 days before pope's September visit

City workers toss an abandoned bike in the back of a truck Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, in Philadelphia. The two-day sweep of abandoned bikes ending Thursday afternoon is an annual cleanup that's also part of the city's preparations for the pope's scheduled visit. A spokeswoman for the mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities says 143 bikes are slated for removal. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (The Associated Press)

prev next

Bicycles are piled up in a truck as city workers remove abandoned bikes, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, in Philadelphia. The two-day sweep of abandoned bikes ending Thursday afternoon is an annual cleanup that's also part of the city's preparations for the pope's scheduled visit. A spokeswoman for the mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities says 143 bikes are slated for removal. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (The Associated Press)

A city worker uses a torch to cut a lock on an abandoned bike, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2015, in Philadelphia. The two-day sweep of abandoned bikes ending Thursday afternoon is an annual cleanup that's also part of the city's preparations for the pope's scheduled visit. A spokeswoman for the mayor's Office of Transportation and Utilities says 143 bikes are slated for removal. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) (The Associated Press)

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Secret Service will turn large swaths of downtown Philadelphia into vehicle-free security zones with fenced inside areas during Pope Francis' visit next month.

Mayor Michael Nutter says Thursday some closures will go into effect more than a day before Pope Francis' Sept. 26-27 visit.

Security perimeters are being established around the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and Independence Mall, where Francis is expected to address large crowds,

An inner perimeter will include fencing with portals where people will be required to go through metal detectors. Vehicle-free zones will extend several blocks beyond that.

The security zone for the Benjamin Franklin Parkway will go in effect at 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24. The smaller security zone for Independence Mall will go into effect at 10 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25.