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As anticipation builds for the rare total solar eclipse set to occur on April 8, 2024, millions of Americans are gearing up for what could potentially be a traffic nightmare.
Experts and law enforcement officials are warning of congested roads, gridlocked highways and overwhelmed infrastructure as people from across the country flock to witness this celestial event.
The path of totality, where the sun will be fully obscured by the moon, stretches across various states, including Texas, Ohio and parts of the Midwest. With skygazers expected to travel to these areas for the best view, concerns about traffic congestion are mounting.
Aixa Diaz, a spokesperson for the American Automobile Association, advised travelers to “pack your patience” and be prepared for increased traffic, both for local residents in these areas and for those traveling long distances to catch a glimpse of the eclipse.
The potential for traffic chaos is not unfounded, as witnessed during the nation’s last total solar eclipse in 2017. Transportation Research News reported congestion lasting up to 13 hours after the eclipse, with traffic jams particularly severe on interstates and rural back roads.
In anticipation of the influx of visitors, officials in various states are issuing warnings and preparing for the worst.
In Ohio’s Lorain County, Director of Emergency Management Dave Freeman acknowledged the lack of infrastructure to accommodate large crowds, urging residents to be aware of increased traffic and possible cellphone signal drops.
“What we could have is crowds here that we’re not used to,” Freeman said. “We’re not set up infrastructure-wise for that, we don’t have the roads.”
Similarly, Oklahoma Highway Patrol warned of potential road system backups due to an influx of visitors to southeastern Oklahoma. Despite only a small corner of the state being in the path of totality, Oklahoma officials expect an estimated 17,000 to 66,000 people will visit to view the eclipse.
Wyoming experienced significant traffic congestion during the 2017 eclipse, with over 536,000 cars filling the state’s streets, according to the Wyoming Department of Transportation. The state’s highway system was stretched to its limits, with travel times doubling or even tripling.
Jonathan Upchurch, author of an analysis of traffic patterns during the 2017 eclipse, noted that while roadways leading to totality areas experienced little congestion before the event, the aftermath saw major traffic jams as everyone tried to exit simultaneously.
Texas, particularly the Hill Country region, is also bracing for massive visitation on eclipse day. The eclipse seen from Texas is expected to last nearly four and a half minutes. Michael Zeiler, an eclipse chaser, predicted to KUT News that up to 488,000 visitors could descend upon Kerrville, a town of 25,000 residents. Fredericksburg, another town in the Hill Country, is preparing for over 100,000 visitors, prompting city officials to implement crowd management measures and advise residents to stock up on essentials like fuel and food. Emergency management officials are also taking proactive steps to ensure public safety during the eclipse.
In Nebraska, the Department of Transportation – which banned oversized truck loads during the 2017 eclipse – plans to do so again.
“We really kind of walked through all the different scenarios on what we thought we might be experiencing that day,” Jeni Campana of the Nebraska Department of Transportation recalled. “We were all singing from the same songbook.”
In Texas, the Austin Police Department plans to increase the number of patrols and dispatchers on staff in the week leading up to the event, allowing for overtime pay as well. State police departments, like the Indiana State Police, are implementing all-hands-on-deck approaches, canceling days off and increasing patrols along highways and interstates.
ISP Sergeant John Perrine said the department is prepared for the likelihood of an emergency.
“Naturally anytime we have an increase in cars on the roads we have an increase in crashes, stalled vehicles, disabled vehicles on the side of the road,” Perrine told Fox 59. “All those kinds of things kind of go hand-in-hand. So, we’re going to do the best we can to prepare for that.”
Other agencies noted the importance of deploying ambulances and fire services to strategic locations in preparation for the event.
“Making sure that our fire departments, our ambulances will be strategically placed throughout the city and county so they don’t have to fight the traffic to get to the emergencies they need to get to,” Shelby County EMA Director Denis Ratekin explained. Ratekin said the sheriff’s office anticipates an influx of roughly 100,000 to the region.
As the countdown to the total solar eclipse begins, officials are urging Americans to plan ahead, avoid unnecessary travel during peak eclipse hours, and be prepared for potential traffic delays and disruptions. With millions expected to hit the roads, patience and caution will be crucial for a smooth and safe viewing experience.
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