Will next month’s total eclipse cause interstate gridlock?

Will next month’s total eclipse cause interstate gridlock?

Late last year, we reported that there will be a total eclipse of the sun that will be visible throughout a good portion of the United States on August 21.

As the date of that event draws near, transportation officials are gearing up for potential gridlock along the interstate that may occur because of skyward rubbernecking.

The eclipse will be visible in 14 states, and FHWA estimates that over 200,000,000 will be within a day’s drive from traveling into the phenomenon’s path.

“That is a lot of people with potential to be out on the roads,” Martin Knopp , an associate administrator at the Department of Transportation, explained during Wednesday’s meeting.

Knopp said the states in the eclipse’s path are preparing their highways for the heavy traffic. They will even pause summer road construction.

Without any real way of knowing how bad the traffic will be in those 14 states on August 21, Knopp went advised that eclipse-goers try not to travel on the day of the event.

“It’s not a time to just show up and on the spur of the moment … pull over and watch it from the side of the road,” he said.

On the summer solstice (June 21), National Aeronautics and Space Administration officials gave a safety briefing related to the anticipated crowds clamoring to get to national parks for the best viewing of the rare event.

The sun will disappear for about 2½ minutes, beginning in Oregon about 10:15 a.m. local time and continue for about 30 minutes.

Facilities catering to tourists that lie in the “path of totality” (between Oregon and South Carolina) are already cashing in on the eclipse.

One town in Kentucky has a designated eclipse coordinator. Campsites in Oregon were booked in 90 minutes. To meet the demand, some people are listing rooms on Airbnb that cost more than $2K a night.

Alaska Airlines is offering a special eclipse-viewing flight.

“We are in a unique position to provide a one-of-a-kind experience for astronomy enthusiasts,” Sangita Woerner, Alaska Airlines’ vice president of marketing, said in a press release. “Flying high above the Pacific Ocean will not only provide one of the first views, but also one of the best.”

The flight is scheduled to take off from Portland International Airport in Oregon at 7:30 a.m. local time on Aug. 21. It will head out over the Pacific Coast for an early view of the total solar eclipse, the first to barrel coast to coast across the county in 99 years.

The airline isn’t selling tickets to its high-flying viewing party. Seats are available by invitation only to a select group of astronomers and guests. But Alaska Airlines will give away two seats as part of a marketing promotion beginning July 21 on the company’s social media outlets.

There are six especially fun spots that will be having viewing parties.

* The Wyoming Eclipse Festival
* Carhenge in Alliance, Nebraska, with its replica of the ancient Stonehenge
* St. Joseph’s “eclipse barbeque” in Missouri
* Blue Sky Vineyard in Makanda, Illinois (close to the longest total eclipse time)
* Hopkinsville, Kentucky (closest to the greatest eclipse point)
* Adventure Science Center in Nashville, Tennessee

So, plan now for where you want to see the eclipse…and don’t forget to view it safely!

Donations tax deductible
to the full extent allowed by law.