Southern Illinois Braced For Crowds, Traffic Jams During 2024 Eclipse
Plan to arrive early, stay put and leave late if you're traveling to southern Illinois for the April 8 eclipse, state officials say. Downstate Illinois is preparing for thousands of visitors to the Carbondale area and small towns in the path of totality for the 2024 solar eclipse. The area, which is expected to be the prime viewing area in southern Illinois for the second time since August 2017, will be at the crossroads of totality twice in the past. The Illinois Department of Transportation and various state agencies have been planning for a year to ensure a safe and successful experience for eclipse watchers and keep traffic flowing. All roads in and out of the area are expected to have heavy congestion after the eclipse, with drivers advised to prepare for long journeys home after the event. The eclipse will be visible over approximately 128 miles of Illinois on April 8, with Totality crossing over Fairfield and exiting Illinois at Mount Carmel at 2:06pm.
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ACROSS ILLINOIS — Downstate Illinois is bracing for thousands of visitors to the Carbondale area and small towns in the path of totality for Monday’s solar eclipse. To avoid the fiasco of 2017 eclipse, when stargazers got caught in an 11-hour traffic jam on I-57 and I-55 leaving downstate Illinois.
Crowds of 100,000 to 200,000 are expected to come to the prime viewing area in southern Illinois, which finds itself at the crossroads of totality for the second time since August 2017. Visitors to the area will see 4 minutes and 9 seconds of totality in 2014, double what was seen in 2017. The Illinois Department of Transportation and various other state agencies have been planning for a year to ensure a safe and successful experience for the influx of eclipse watchers, and keep traffic flowing.
>>> Help Kids View The Solar Eclipse Safely Without Damaging Their Eyes Crowds of 100,000 to 200,000 are expected to come to the prime viewing area in southern Illinois.
Interstate 57 is the direct interstate access to the path of totality. U.S. 45 runs through the middle of the path of totality. Illinois 1 and Interstates 64 and 70 will provide access to the area.
The 2024 solar eclipse will be visible over approximately 128 miles of Illinois April 8. Totality enters Illinois as it crosses the Missouri state line southwest in Carbondale at 1:58 p.m. The eclipse will follow a diagonal line crossing over Fairfield and exit Illinois at Mount Carmel at 2:06 p.m.
All roads in and out of the area are expected to have heavy congestion in the couple hours after the eclipse. Any lane closures on state projects will be lifted throughout the weekend and the day after the eclipse.
Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman advises travelers to prepare for a long ride home after the eclipse. “Traffic will be congested, with much more activity in areas where people are congregating. Give yourself plenty of extra time and exercise special caution if you’re behind the wheel,” Osman said in a news release.
• If you’re in a vehicle, don’t stop along roads or bridges.
• Avoid parking on the side of the road or on the entrance and exit ramps to roadside safety rest areas.
• Be cautious. There will be a large number of pedestrians near roads.
• Don’t take photos or wear eclipse glasses while driving.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Make sure you have a charged cell phone, a full tank of gas and bottled water.
• Plan to arrive early, stay put and leave late. That way everyone won’t leave at the same time. “The Illinois State Police, working with our local law enforcement partners and other state agencies, are ready to assist the public during this unique phenomenon,” Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly said. “We encourage people traveling to the area to plan ahead, be prepared for traffic congestion, and be patient when driving.”
Konular: Traffic