The Nebraska Department of Transportation released this morning that oversize-loads will not be allowed to travel on Nebraska highways and Interstate 80 from sunset Friday, August 18 until sunrise on Tuesday, August 22.
According to the Omaha World Herald, heavy traffic is especially likely near a 70-mile-wide path of eclipse totality that runs from the northwest part of the state to the southeast.
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.
NDOT encourages Nebraskans to make plans early to determine where they will view the eclipse, where they will stay and how best to avoid the extra traffic congestion.
NDOT offers 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, visit http://neclipse17.com/ or http://outdoornebraska.gov/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.
