Penn Holds Fair for Commuters Who Use South St. Bridge

by KYW's Paul Kurtz

The University of Pennsylvania is trying to spread the word to students and employees that they'll have to map out alternate routes before the South Street bridge closes this fall.

A commuter fair inside Houston Hall includes a booth exclusively for people with concerns about their daily commute over the South Street bridge, people like Megan Hinsall who's been driving to her job at Penn for years. That routine is about to change:

"I'm going to be more than likely taking the train, Septa, I'd say about three days out of the five days."

Penn's Barbara Lee-Kruger says they're trying to urging any and all means of alternate transportation:

"We're encouraging some people to park in South Philly and take Septa in. We're trying to get them to take the train, we're working on car pooling and van pooling, we're putting up more bike racks so people can bike. I think that there's no one size solution fits everybody so that's what this fair is all about is to say 'let's find something that fits your needs.'"

Construction of a new South Street bridge is expected to last at least 18 months.

(File photo by KYW's Tony Hanson)