AGENCY IS MAKING SOME CHANGES TO KEEP YOU SAFE. IF YOU’RE DRIVING INTO SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA TO WATCH THE ECLIPSE, OFFICIALS ASK THAT YOU DON’T STAY IN YOUR CAR OR SIT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT FIND A PARKING LOT OR A PLACE TO WATCH THE EVENT SAFELY. IT DEFINITELY WILL CLOG UP THE HIGHWAY SYSTEM IN THE NETWORK. SOUTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA, WHERE WE HAVE MANY MILES OF RURAL TWO LANE HIGHWAYS THAT THAT DON’T HAVE SHOULDERS ON THEM. UH, COULD BE UNIQUELY AFFECTED. OKLAHOMA’S DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS ONE OF MANY AGENCIES PREPARING FOR THE ECLIPSE. APRIL 8TH. OFFICIALS SAY TO EXPECT HEAVY TRAFFIC AS FOLKS TRICKLE INTO THE AREA OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS. IN THE NEXT WEEK, UM, THEY’RE VERY LIKELY IF OTHER STATES EXPERIENCES ARE AN EXAMPLE FOR US TO TRY TO LEAVE AT THE SAME TIME AND OTHER CHALLENGES AS THOUSANDS ARE EXPECTED TO WATCH THE EVENT, ODOT SAYS THEY’VE PLANNED WITH LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES FOR A YEAR NOW. THEY WANT YOU TO REMEMBER TO HAVE A FULL TANK OF GAS. DON’T STOP ON THE SHOULDER TO WATCH AND KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR PEOPLE WHO MAY BE WALKING AROUND. WE’RE GOING TO PAUSE NON-EMERGENCY MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES, AND WE’RE GOING TO LIMIT CONSTRUCTION CLOSURES OUT ON THE HIGHWAY SYSTEM. ODOT PLANS TO ADD MESSAGE SIGNS FOR DRIVERS AND LIVE TRAFFIC CAMERAS, SHOWING THE LATEST BACKUPS, BUT THEY SAY WITH THE NUMBER OF CARS ANTICIPATED, THERE ARE WORRIES THE ABILITY TO GET FIRST RESPONDERS, UH, OR EVEN JUST SERVICE VEHICLES TO VEHICLES ON ON THOSE CONDITIONS. IT’S GOING TO BE CHALLENGING AT BEST. WE RECOGNIZE THAT CELLULAR SERVICE MAY BE A CHALLENGE IN THE REGION. NOW ODOT IS ASKING DRIVERS TO HAVE A PLAN AFTER THE ECLIPSE RATHER THAN JUST HIT THE ROAD. THEY SAY THAT LOCAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND SHERIFF’S OFFICE, PLUS OKLAHOMA HIGHWAY PATROL WILL BE THERE TO HEL
Solar eclipse can cause some obstacles for travelers in southeast Oklahoma
Traffic and cell service could see problems during the event
![KOCO logo]()
Updated: 5:16 PM CDT Apr 1, 2024
In one week, Oklahoma will be in the path of a total solar eclipse, and state officials are warning travelers of some obstacles that could be in the way during the event. | MORE | Solar Eclipse in Oklahoma: Everything to know, where to see it and how to view itThere are many precautions travelers can take to stay safe during the eclipse. Officials said those driving to southern Oklahoma to watch the phenomenon should not park on the road but should find a parking lot or another location to watch the event safely. "It definitely will clog up the highway system and the network. Southeastern Oklahoma, where we have many miles of rural two-lane highways that don’t have shoulders on them, could be uniquely affected," said Tim Gatz, the executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. ODOT is one of the many agencies preparing for the eclipse on April 8. Officials said people should expect heavy traffic among other challenges. "As folks trickle into the area over the next few days and next week, they’re very likely, if other state’s experiences are an example for us, to try to leave at the same time," Gatz said. Thousands of people are expected to watch the eclipse. ODOT said they have planned with local, state and federal agencies for a year. Now, they want Oklahomans to remember to have a full tank of gas, find a safe place to watch the event and keep an eye out for people who may be walking around. "We’re going to pause non-emergency maintenance activities, and we’re going to limit construction closures out on the highway system," Gatz said. ODOT plans to add message signs for drivers and live traffic cameras showing the latest backups, but they said there are worries with the number of cars anticipated to hit the road. "The ability to get first responders, or even just service vehicles, to the vehicles on those conditions is going to be challenging at best," Gatz said. "We recognize cellular service may be a challenge in the region." Drivers should have a plan after the eclipse other than hitting the road. ODOT officials said Oklahoma Highway Patrol, local sheriff's offices and emergency management will also help with traffic. Top Headlines TIMELINE: Severe storms bring risk of large hail, tornadoes to Oklahoma on Monday Suspect leads troopers on pursuit reaching 120 mph through Oklahoma City Sunday's March Madness Elite Eight recap Gov. Stitt signs changes to Oklahoma hunting, fishing licenses Alex Murdaugh gets 40 years in federal prison for stealing from clients and his law firm
In one week, Oklahoma will be in the path of a total solar eclipse, and state officials are warning travelers of some obstacles that could be in the way during the event.
| MORE | Solar Eclipse in Oklahoma: Everything to know, where to see it and how to view it
There are many precautions travelers can take to stay safe during the eclipse. Officials said those driving to southern Oklahoma to watch the phenomenon should not park on the road but should find a parking lot or another location to watch the event safely.
"It definitely will clog up the highway system and the network. Southeastern Oklahoma, where we have many miles of rural two-lane highways that don’t have shoulders on them, could be uniquely affected," said Tim Gatz, the executive director of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.
ODOT is one of the many agencies preparing for the eclipse on April 8. Officials said people should expect heavy traffic among other challenges.
"As folks trickle into the area over the next few days and next week, they’re very likely, if other state’s experiences are an example for us, to try to leave at the same time," Gatz said.
Thousands of people are expected to watch the eclipse. ODOT said they have planned with local, state and federal agencies for a year.
Now, they want Oklahomans to remember to have a full tank of gas, find a safe place to watch the event and keep an eye out for people who may be walking around.
"We’re going to pause non-emergency maintenance activities, and we’re going to limit construction closures out on the highway system," Gatz said.
ODOT plans to add message signs for drivers and live traffic cameras showing the latest backups, but they said there are worries with the number of cars anticipated to hit the road.
"The ability to get first responders, or even just service vehicles, to the vehicles on those conditions is going to be challenging at best," Gatz said. "We recognize cellular service may be a challenge in the region."
Drivers should have a plan after the eclipse other than hitting the road. ODOT officials said Oklahoma Highway Patrol, local sheriff's offices and emergency management will also help with traffic.
Top Headlines
