Additional state police, traffic updates will help keep people safe, moving on eclipse day

State transportation, emergency and parks officials are coordinating plans for the day of the eclipse to keep the public safe and keep traffic moving, particularly in northwestern Pennsylvania.

Erie and Crawford counties will be in path of totality of the April 8 solar eclipse. The moon also will totally block the sun for a time in portions of Mercer and Warren counties.

More than 200,000 people could come to Erie for the event, and that will affect travel not only here but elsewhere in the state, transportation officials said.

Taking care of normal business on eclipse day will be an issue. Traffic in the region is expected to be heavy before and especially after the sky darkens in mid-afternoon.

"Make sure that you've taken care of routine errands before April 8 or take care of them the next day. Anyone who lives or works in northwest Pennsylvania needs to think ahead about how they will get to work, handle childcare and attend to any important medical appointments the day of the eclipse," said Randy Padfield, director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. "It is highly recommended that any unnecessary travel be delayed or rescheduled."

State police will remove disabled vehicles from interstates in northwestern Pennsylvania and will post troopers at each exit to keep traffic flowing. People gathered at rest stops will be directed to view the eclipse elsewhere.

"Our primary concern is public safety," said Col. Christopher Paris, commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police. "Troopers will have an increased presence in the area and zero tolerance for distracted, aggressive and intoxicated drivers."

Elsewhere, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will keep all lanes of traffic open heading to and from Erie on Interstate 79 via the Cranberry Interchange and will add additional maintenance personnel in the event of an emergency, said Craig Shuey, chief operating officer of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has created a special 511PA page to suggest various routes for drivers traveling to and from Erie for the eclipse. The department will provide traffic updates on its social media pages.

PennDOT encourages drivers to plan on longer-than-usual travel times, to get off the highway or street to view the eclipse, to turn on vehicle headlights during the event, and to be alert for increased pedestrian traffic and vehicles on road shoulders.

Visitors are welcome to view the eclipse at state parks and forests but should expect crowds and heavy traffic, said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.

"... Or the view from your local park or even your backyard will be excellent," Dunn said.

Parks may be closed if they reach visitor capacity, according to DCNR.

Contact Valerie Myers at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Added police, social media to help keep traffic moving on eclipse day