PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — An estimated 250,000 people are expected to travel to Erie to experience the path of a total solar eclipse next month.
Law enforcement agencies and businesses are already preparing for the big day.
“Everyone is excited,” said Capt. Kirk Reese, Pennsylvania State Police Troop E commander. “We receive calls and inquiries from all over the country.”
Reese said crews are preparing for the April 8 solar eclipse. Erie has one of the best views on the total route. State police said they were preparing for up to 250,000 visitors.
“We're going to try to put cars in every possible spot on the road,” Reese said. “It's not just the interstates, because we know that when the interstates get congested, the electronic devices that everyone has will direct them to secondary roads.”
“We are seeking assistance from our aviation assets and, of course, PSP boats will be out on Lake Erie for all boaters,” he added.
Reese, of Troop E, which covers Erie, Crawford, Venango and Warren counties, said all members will be on duty for traffic troubles everywhere, including the Pennsylvania Turnpike and I-79.
“They're going to come over the Turnpike and up (Interstate) 79, so the roads will be congested on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. But by the time the eclipse ends on Monday afternoon, the roads will be congested. “I would,” Reese said.
He said travel times could be up to four times longer than usual. After the last solar eclipse of 2017, highways were paralyzed.
“In 2017, the outbreak spread across the United States and affected Tennessee and Kentucky. And my director of operations and I have been interacting with those state police agencies, and they… “Parking is back up on most of the interstates and they said they will be backed up for up to 10 to 12 hours after the eclipse ends,” Reese said.
Reese said he is aware drivers may stop and watch on the road. But he said it was illegal and dangerous.
“I'm worried about people stopping on the road,” Reese said. “So we're working with PennDOT and other agencies. They're putting up signs along the roadways that say do not stop on the roadways. We're putting police officers on every interstate. We are deploying officers to direct traffic.”
He expects people to start arriving on April 5th. Police urged people to plan their routes now and be prepared.
“It's going to be up to the individual driver and hopefully just a little bit of common sense,” he said.
Reese said he expects the largest crowds to be at Presque Isle State Park in Erie and anywhere on Lake Erie.
