Expected traffic exodus ahead of eclipse
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Ahead of Monday’s Solar eclipse, experts and officials in our area are expecting traffic to be severely impacted. The agency is anticipating delayed emergency services, stranded drivers, not enough gas for drivers, traffic gridlocks causing food and fuel demands, and overloaded cell networks. What the agency doesn’t provide is a numeric [...]
CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Ahead of Monday’s Solar eclipse, experts and officials in our area are expecting traffic to be severely impacted.
The agency is anticipating delayed emergency services, stranded drivers, not enough gas for drivers, traffic gridlocks causing food and fuel demands, and overloaded cell networks. What the agency doesn’t provide is a numeric estimate of travelers.
“I think it's gonna be a very big event. We may see quite a bit of incoming traffic in the North Country here" said Captain Kevin Burns of the New York State Forest Rangers.
Speaking of traffic in New York, Anthony Cucchiara is headed to North River during eclipse time.“I don't know if we’re gonna be able to avoid any of it, we just…if the totality is about 2-2:30, I'm not quite sure of the time maybe by 10:00, 11:00, to get in position?” said Cucchiara.
Eli Potter flew to Boston from Alaska and is driving to the Adirondacks during the height of the eclipse. “Yeah my mom lives far upstate in Northern Adirondacks right under the eclipse and I haven't seen her in a few years. I was like looking for a time to come see her, and I was like The Eclipse. I just saw in Antarctica years ago, so now I like eclipses” Potter told NEWS10.
Even if you get up north the next hurdle will be an expected traffic exodus after the eclipse. “People are going to try to return back down to the south or back to hotel rooms from the viewing sites. That's where the concern is and traffic jams may occur" Captain Burns added.
To avoid eclipse-related traffic on Monday, the New York State Police recommends fueling up by Sunday, storing extra food and water, and planning on being in traffic for at least 4-12 hours if you’re headed towards Buffalo. "Signs on the highway say to head out early and stay late, so we’ll probably wait till most of the crowd moves out" said Cucchiara.
Despite all the predicted mess, Potter, ever the world traveler, reminds us to look at the bigger picture“The world pauses for that one time, you know. Humanity, all these masses of people we just kind of take that breath and for those few minutes it's a cool feeling" said Potter.
Local areas like Albany and as far north as Lake George will see maximum Coverage at 3:26 PM on Monday.