Photo courtesy of Astro Sage.
By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
With only four days between now and the Solar Eclipse scheduled to blanket roughly 13 states in day-time darkness on April 8, agencies across the commonwealth — both locally and at the state level — are preparing for the influx of travelers and their impact on some of Kentucky’s major roadways.
According to Eclipse 2024, a website “dedicated to the safe observation of the total eclipse,” the eclipse’s pathway is set to cross much of the eastern United States, crossing through Texas — near San Antonio — Arkansas, small parts of Missouri and Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and portions of Western Kentucky.
A Solar Eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the Sun and Earth. According to NASA exactly how the earth, moon and sun aligns determines the type of eclipse one sees on the surface. A total eclipse like the one streaking across the U.S. on April 8 “is the result of a cosmic coincidence” that happens when the moon completely blocks the face of the sun, which allows the viewer to briefly see the star’s “corona,” the sun’s outer atmosphere.
For Kentuckians the eclipse is scheduled to enter Kentucky at 2 p.m. central time, and those squarely in the totality path should expect it to last rough three-and-a-half to four minutes, nearly twice as long as the totality in 2017.
With this celestial event comes travelers from all across the Unites States, who will flock to one of the 13 states in the phenomenon’s path. According to a press release from the Kentucky Department of Transportation roughly 150,000 Kentuckians plan to travel one of the eight western Kentucky counties in the pathway with more than 1 million expected to trek through the commonwealth on Monday.
“The solar eclipse will be a memorable and fun event for many Kentucky families,” said Gov. Andy Beshear. “I encourage Kentuckians who intend to watch it to plan early to make this event safe for all. Choose your viewing location in advance, expect increased traffic and remember to take essentials, like protective eyewear and water.”
Given this expected traffic KYTC expectes higher volumes of traffic along many Kentucky state road, many of which run through Barren County. The roads include Highway 24, Interstate 69, U.S. Highway 41, U.S. Highway 68/Kentucky Highway 80, U.S. Highway 231 and Interstate Highways 64, 65, 71, 75 and 165 as well as some back roads.
“Ensuring smooth traffic flow is crucial for everyone’s safety,” said KYTC Secretary Jim Gray. “Motorists should refrain from parking on or along highways during the solar eclipse to ensure first responders have a path to respond to emergencies.”
The eclipse will travel through parts of Fulton, Hickman, Ballard, McCracken, Livingston, Crittenden, Union and Henderson Counties and clip parts of Carlisle, Graves, Webster and Daviess. Barren County is not in the totality’s path but, according to the Eclipse 2024 website, will have an obscurity of 95.8 percent at its maximum.
According to Barren County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Mike Houchens and Glasgow Police Department Officer Terry Flatt nothing is planned for Barren County, however KYTC advises caution for those Kentuckians traveling into the pathway.
Other KYTC safety tips include:
• Get eclipse-viewing glasses early. Regular sunglasses are not safe.
• Fill up your gas tank before traveling in the event of traffic delays.
• Do not stop along highways or emergency shoulders.
• Do not take pictures while driving. Exit the highway to view or photograph the event.
• Turn on headlights.
• Drive alert and watch for pedestrians.
• Come early, stay late. This will help minimize major traffic delays.
• Plan ahead. Book accommodations early and select a viewing destination before
you travel. Locations with restrooms and food will be in high demand.
• Travel with enough food and water for everyone in your vehicle. Expect lines at
restaurants, convenience stores and grocery stores.
• Check the local weather.
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