(PatriotsUnited.org) – New Hampshire authorities warned drivers to avoid local roads if they can as major traffic is expected to accompany the looming solar eclipse on April 8th. The New England state’s Department of Transportation published a warning on Monday telling visitors headed for Coos County-in north New Hampshire-situated on part of the eclipse path-to stick to state highways when attempting to reach and exit viewing hotspots. The New Hampshire Department of Transportation will be revealing real-time traffic updates throughout the day to help people travel as safely and efficiently as possible.
The advisory said that “some secondary highways and local roads” were not suitable for coping with large traffic flows, and added that springtime in the area could often herald the arrival of frost heaves and soft shoulders which could increase vehicle hazards. They also warned drivers to be prepared for slow travel times when heading south following the eclipse. Set to take place on April 8, the total solar eclipse will trace a path from northern Mexico through the Midwest and up into New England, with leafy Coos County being among the most coveted viewing destinations.
As when the last major eclipse took place in the US in 2017, a surge in tourism to the affected area is anticipated, prompting stress over strains on health and safety. Approximately 32 million people already live on the eclipse’s path, but some 1 to 5 million people are expected to travel elsewhere to achieve a clearer view of the celestial event.
In Oklahoma, one rural county has already made plans to enlist National Guard help to deal with a tourist influx, which is also expected to congest small rural road networks. With traffic woes set to take place in many areas along the eclipse’s visible path, people have also been advised to allow for longer travel times than usual and have been reminded that safety should be their priority, meaning that viewing the eclipse while driving or parking on unsuitable spots to take it in has been warned against. Numerous state highways link U.S. Routes 2 and 3 by which drivers can reach key viewing areas. NASA calculations estimate that the eclipse path of totality will cut through the county diagonally from Lancaster, with durations of around two to three minutes for watchers.
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