Last Friday, it was mostly limited to the sports complex.

Tonight, not only does sports complex have three events starting within five minutes of each other, but some streets near Independence Mall could be clogged because of a visit by Sen. Barack Obama.

From 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., police will be directing traffic near the site of Obama's 8 p.m. rally, the Independence Visitor Center, Sixth and Market Streets.

The event is open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, with gates opening at 6 p.m. (For more information about the rally, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/philadelphia.)

Although no streets will be closed, police expect lots of roadway congestion.

Over in South Philadelphia, traffic could be even worse, as the Phillies, the Phantoms and the circus host tens of thousands of fans.

First, at 7 p.m., it's the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus, continuing an 11-day run at the Wachovia Spectrum.

Then, at 7:05, the Phillies-Mets game features a matchup of two of the National League's best pitchers, the home team's Cole Hamels vs. the New York's Johan Santana.

Meanwhile, over the at Wachovia Center, the Phantoms minor-league hockey team will host an opening-round playoff game against the Albany River Rats. The teams split their first two games of the seven-game series.

One way to avoid the motoring madness is to take SEPTA.

In addition to its regular Broad Steet Line locals and expresses, SEPTA will run three Sports Express trains, which will leave the Fern Rock center at 6:08 p.m., 6:18 p.m. and 6:28 p.m. Riders can catch them only at the Fern Rock, Erie, Girard, Spring Garden, Race-Vine, City Hall and Walnut-Locust stations.

Tomorrow and Sunday, all three buildings will be busy once again, but with staggered starts and no rush hour, traffic headaches should be less of a worry.

Tomorrow, the lineup is the circus at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., then the Phillies at 3:55 p.m., the circus again at 7, and finally the Wings vs. the New York Titans in a box lacrosse contest at 7:30.

On Sunday, it's possible Phantoms fans and circusgoers could be heading home from their 5 p.m. events just as Phillies fans flock to see the Mets at 8:05 p.m.

To check local traffic conditions, go to: http://go.philly.com/traffic.