This is a friendly reminder about the total solar eclipse happening on Monday, April 8th, 2024. We expect this event to cause travel disruptions, especially in areas directly experiencing the eclipse (path of totality).

DOT Restrictions In Place During Eclipse

NYS Dept. of Transportation issued an alert earlier this week in anticipation of the April 8 total solar eclipse that will be visible over a large portion of New York. Large traffic volumes are expected on the day of and day after the eclipse and as a result, NYSDOT is restricting all oversize travel starting at 6 a.m. on Monday, April 8 and continuing through 9 p.m., Tuesday, April 9 within the counties that are in the path of the eclipse. Additionally, the Thruway authority will also be restricting oversize travel on I-90 in both directions from Exit 24 in Albany to the Pennsylvania state line on I-190 during this time. Oversize travel may resume half an hour before sunrise on Wednesday, April 10.

The counties that will be affected by the eclipse are: Albany, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Clinton, Erie, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Montgomery, Niagara, Onondaga, Oneida, Ontario, Orleans, Oswego, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Seneca, Steuben, Warren, Wayne, Wyoming, and Yates.

Governor Hochul has also directed State Police, DOT and Thruway to prepare for a high volume of traffic the weekend leading up to the eclipse and through April 9. Vehicles are not allowed to park on the shoulder of the highway to view the eclipse. DOT and Thruway will have increased staffing and patrols for maintenance and traffic crews. Additionally, construction and temporary lane closures will be suspended to allow traffic to flow.

More information:

https://www.dot.ny.gov/nypermits

https://www.thruway.ny.gov/index.shtml

School Closures, Early Dismissals

Many schools are closing early, announced a day off, or suspended after-school activities. Here is a link to the known closures so far: https://www.news10.com/classroom-progress-report/capital-region-schools-plan-to-close-dismiss-early-for-solar-eclipse/

“New York is ready to welcome millions of visitors, and my administration has been working hard to ensure everyone in the path of the eclipse can safely enjoy this rare event.” -Governor Kathy Hochul

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-updates-new-yorkers-state-preparations-ahead-april-8-eclipse