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Nebraska Set For Prime Viewing Of August Solar Eclipse

Nebraska Set for Prime Viewing of August Solar Eclipse

Nebraska Set for Prime Viewing of August Solar Eclipse

Plan ahead to get your best viewing and avoid traffic congestion

July 21, 2017 (Lincoln, Neb.) — This summer, citizens and travelers throughout a large portion of Nebraska will have the chance to see a rare celestial event – a total solar eclipse.

On August 21, 2017, the moon will block out the sun’s light, causing a total solar eclipse across
approximately 468.4 miles of Nebraska from the border with Wyoming to Lincoln, Beatrice and
Falls City.  An influx of out-of-state visitors is also expected to come to Nebraska to witness the event.Nebraskans should make plans early to determine where they will view the eclipse, where they will stay and how best to avoid the extra traffic congestion.

“As Nebraska is a prime viewing location, we all anticipate large crowds, which may cause heavy traffic on Nebraska interstates and highways the day of the solar eclipse.  As many local communities have planned weekend events, large crowds may be possible over the weekend leading up to the actual day of the eclipse,” said Nebraska Department of Transportation Director Kyle Schneweis.  “If you are interested in seeing the eclipse, we recommend planning well in advance so you can avoid the anticipated traffic.”

Nebraska will be one of 14 states from Oregon to South Carolina to experience the path of the August 21st total solar eclipse.  Approximately 200 million people — a little less than two-thirds of our nation’s population — will be within a day’s drive of the path of the eclipse.

Please follow these tips to drive safely on the day of the solar eclipse:

  • Don’t stop along the interstate or park on the shoulder during the event.
  • Exit the highway to a safe location to view and/or photograph the eclipse
  • Don’t take photographs while driving!
  • Don’t try to wear opaque eclipse glasses while operating a vehicle.
  • Turn your headlights on — do not rely on your automatic headlights when the eclipse blocks out the sun.
  • Watch out for pedestrians along smaller roads. People may be randomly parking and walking alongside the roadside in the hours around the eclipse to get the best view.
  • Prepare for extra congestion, especially on the interstates in the eclipse’s path, on the day before, day of, and day after the eclipse.
  • Check traffic conditions on www.511.nebraska.gov or through the Nebraska 511 app available for download for Android and Apple devices.

For more information on travel in Nebraska and optimal viewing locations, please visit
http://neclipse17.com/ or http://outdoornebraska.gov/eclipse/.  You can find information about travel safety tips at http://dot.nebraska.gov/news-media/eclipse/.  For information on the solar eclipse, its path and how to view it with proper safety glasses or other techniques, visit the NASA website at http://eclipse2017.nasa.gov.
Total Solar Eclipse 2017 Transportation & Trucking Alerts

For the first time since 1979, a Total Solar Eclipse will be visible in the continental United States.  On August 21, 2017 the moon will completely cover the sun for anywhere up to 3 minutes in a band across the country.  This band is roughly 65 miles wide, and extends from Oregon to South Carolina:

OR – Lincoln City to Ontario
ID – Weiser to Victor
WY – diagonal from Yellowstone Park to Torrington
NE – diagonal from Mitchell to Falls City

Western cities in the band include Boise, Yellowstone, Casper, Grand Island and Kansas City.

Affected Interstate routes in the western states
I-5 in Oregon between Eugene and Patton
I-84 in Oregon/Idaho between LaGrande and Boise
I-15 in Idaho between Pocatello and Dillon
I-25 in Wyoming between Cheyenne and Sheridan
I-80 in Nebraska from the CO State line to I-29
I-29 in Nebraska/Kansas from Omaha to south of Kansas City
I-35 in Missouri from south of Kansas City to state line
I-70 in Kansas/Missouri from Topeka to east of St. Louis

Please note that traffic in and around these Eclipse Band areas is expected to be exceptionally heavy.  Traffic may actually come to a standstill with vehicles parking on the sides of the road to view the Eclipse.  Law enforcement agencies are gearing up to address these concerns, and you will probably see a large law enforcement presence.

Many cities and towns that are in the direct line of the Eclipse band may not allow deliveries and pick-ups due to expected vehicle and pedestrian congestion.  We have heard that some populations are expected to double and triple with tourists and scientists arriving from all over the world.

WYOMING
Along with Nebraska, Wyoming is one of the best locations to see the Eclipse.  It will be visible in Casper at 11:42:40am for about 2 ½ minutes.

Overweight and oversize loads will not be allowed to travel on any Interstate or Primary & Secondary highway in Wyoming on Aug. 20, 21 and 22 because of the anticipated increase in traffic for the solar eclipse. Wyoming Highway Patrol is putting this in place as a safety measure to help with traffic flow. Any questions please call (307) 777-4376 or (307) 777-4872.

COLORADO
While Colorado is not in the direct line of the eclipse, one of the best places in the entire country to see the solar eclipse will be in Casper, Wyoming right off of I-25.  The population of Wyoming is expected to double that day with the major influx coming from the Denver Area and Albuquerque. The Colorado State Patrol is anticipating SIGNIFICANT delays on I-25 from Pueblo to the Wyoming State Line and I-76 from Denver to the Nebraska State Line on the day of the eclipse and the weekend leading up to August 21st.

NEBRASKA
Approximately 468.4 miles of Nebraska is in the viewing zone.  An influx of out-of-state visitors is also expected to come to NE to witness the event.  Heavy traffic, extreme congestion and large crowds across the entire state are expected.  Many communities have planned weekend events, so plan on heavy traffic being possible over the weekend leading up to the actual day of the eclipse.

KANSAS
The Kansas City area will be highly congested in all directions, and traffic is expected to be very heavy.

Please work with your dispatch / customers to make sure your deliveries are scheduled to avoid these times and areas if at all possible.

Driver Reminders (courtesy of the NE Dept. of Transportation website)
If you are driving during the eclipse, be prepared for almost total twilight conditions
Don’t stop along the interstate and no parking on the shoulder.
Please exit the highway to stop and view and/or photograph the solar eclipse.
Don’t take photographs while driving.
Turn your headlights on and do not rely on your auto headlights.
Watch out for extra pedestrians along smaller roads. People may be randomly parking and walking alongside roads in the hour before the total eclipse to get the best viewing.
Prepare for extra congestion especially on the interstates in the path on the day before, day of and day after the eclipse.

Don’t wear “eclipse glasses” while you’re driving.

Avoid travel during the eclipse or in the area of the main path if you can.

To see specific maps, times and activities by state go to www.eclipse2017.org.

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