Springsteen rally: Parkway closed already, don’t expect Obama

The center stretch of the Parkway was closed late this morning, as workers started to assemble the stage for tomorrow's free Bruce Springsteen concert.

Cars could cross the Parkway and use the outer lanes, but motorists were advised to find alternate routes for their afternoon drives home.

Meanwhile, time was running out on a chance to introduce the Boss himself. (More below.)

About noon, the stage began going up just west of 20th Street, between two monuments known as the Civil War Sailors and Soldiers Memorial.

Atop the southern one is a quote from Abraham Lincoln, part of an 1862 speech to Congress about the Emancipation Proclamation:

"In giving freedom to slaves, we assure the freedom of the free."

Fitting words perhaps for a rally for Sen. Barack Obama, the nation's first major-party candidate with African American roots.

Tens of thousands are expected to turn out starting at 2 p.m., when gates open for the 3:30 concert.

Short portable barriers - sections of metal-pipe fencing - had been dropped off on the grass strips between Logan Circle and Eakins Oval, ready to enclose blocks reserved for those with tickets.

For general admission tickets, go to http://pa.barackobama.com/springsteen. For closer spots, sign up to volunteer at one of the offices listed on the same page.

Here are some of the latest developments:

Additional performers. Yes, there will be at least one other musical act, Obama spokesman Zach Friend confirmed this afternoon. No names were available yet, however.

Chance to present Springsteen. Want to meet him and introduce him to the crowd? You'll have to act by 6 p.m. today, because you'll to do four hours of volunteer work by 10 p.m. at one of Obama campaign offices listed here: http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/borntoreg. One volunteer will be chosen to meet the Boss himself.

Obama will NOT be there. Yes, the Illinois senator was at Abington High School today. But disregard the rumors about his making a suprise appearance tomorrow, Friend said.

Road closures. Details should be available after police hold a 3:30 question-and-answer session.

Extra SEPTA service. Tomorrow, cars will be added to regional rail trains, starting at noon, and some Center City bus routes (7, 32, 33, 38, 43, and 48) will be detoured from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Note: Market-Frankford line El riders have to switch to to shuttle buses between 69th and 40th Streets, because of ongoing construction. More: www.septa.org.

Two more Springsteen gigs. After Philadelphia, Springsteen will do a Sunday rally at Ohio State University in Columbus, and a Monday rally at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, the Obama campaign announced yesterday.

As previously announced, Springsteen and Billy Joel plan an Oct. 16 Obama fund-raiser in New York City.

VIP tickets. While tens of thousands will have to stand or sit on the ground tomorrow, about 400 politically connected people will enjoy excellent seats, reports the Inquirer's Marcia Gelbart, in a Heard in the Hall blog item. Go to: http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/heardinthehall/30180369.html.

The less you bring, the better. "For security reasons, do not bring bags and limit personal items," the Web page for tickets says. "No signs or banners are permitted."

Concert lasts until ...? "Set length to be determined by Springsteen," Friend said. The rally will start with campaign staffers talking about registering to vote and volunteering. Additional acts would add to the duration.

Live chat on Philly.com. For running commentary by critic Dan DeLuca and columnist Daniel Rubin, visit Philly.com during the concert.

Estimated crowd. The campaign knows a few thousand people signed up to volunteer, but doesn't have a count on how many people have printed out tickets online, Friend said. City officials have said they're preparing for at least 30,000 people, perhaps even two or three times as many. It could be the biggest event of the weekend, even surpassing Sunday's sellout for the Eagles-Redskins game at Lincoln Financial Field.