(Image provided)
The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and Indiana State Police (ISP) are urging drivers to plan ahead and prepare for potential travel impacts before, during, and after the total solar eclipse happening April 8, 2024, and are offering a number of eclipse tips. “Indiana will play a pivotal role in hosting eclipse enthusiasts as they flock to the Hoosier State,” a news release said, with the path of totality spanning from Evansville to the outskirts of Fort Wayne, and the total solar eclipse beginning in southwest Indiana at about 3 p.m. EDT/2 p.m. CDT and exiting to the northeast at 3:12 p.m. EDT/2:12 p.m. CDT. Other parts of the state including the Region will experience a partial eclipse of at least 90 percent. The eclipse will begin around 1:30 p.m. EDT/12:30 p.m. CDT and end at about 4:30 EDT/3:30 CDT. Experts say the length of totality in Indiana will vary by location from less than a minute to just over four minutes.
Officials say nearly four-million Hoosiers live within the path of totality, with hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit Indiana for the event. Increased traffic and congestion are also expected as residents and tourists alike make their way to various destinations. Areas near the eclipse centerline are anticipated to see the greatest influx of visitors, including Vincennes, Bloomington, Franklin and Bluffton. Indianapolis and Evansville are also in the path of totality. Officials said make sure your headlights are on and do not rely on automatic lights, and to watch for pedestrians, especially along secondary roads.
“Exercise patience when leaving your viewing location as traffic may be heavy. Follow instructions from law enforcement or emergency personnel and be considerate of fellow drivers,” officials said. Everyone is also urged to clean up after yourself and dispose of trash in designated receptacles or take it with you. Motorists can check INDOT TrafficWise on the mobile app or at 511in.org to plan your route and monitor traffic conditions and also to view current construction and maintenance activities. INDOT says it will limit road closures and restrictions where possible on state routes to help with traffic flow surrounding the eclipse.
Here is a link to the state webpage for more details: eclipse2024.in.gov
