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.
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Crowds of 100,000 to 200,000 are expected to come to the prime viewing area in southern Illinois.
Click Here: geelong cats guernsey 2019Interstate 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.
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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.
Some other important reminders:
“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.”
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