Heading to Oregon for the solar eclipse? Better plan ahead
Posted August 11, 2017 4:14 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Washington’s Department of Transportation is worried about what will happen if thousands of British Columbians head to Oregon to watch the solar eclipse later this month.
Up to a million people are expected to travel from out of state to catch the celestial event on Monday August 21st, with travellers expected from Nevada, California, Idaho and Canada.
The eclipse is only expected to last about two minutes, but Bart Treece with Washington’s Department of Transportation says visitors from BC need to be prepared for what he describes as a “multi-day” experience.
“For folks who think it’s a one-day event to head down from BC to central Oregon in the zone of totality and come back, that’s a no go,” he says.
“We could see some really big back-ups and long delays from some of this additional congestion. Even through some of the urban areas along I-5 through Seattle, Tacoma.”
“We just don’t know what to expect. It’s not like going to a Canucks game or a Whitecaps match where you know just about how many people are going to be there because of the number of tickets sold and what time the event starts.”
He adds safety is the priority.
“Exercise good judgment on the roads, plan ahead, no stopping on the side of the road and, of course, no driving with those eclipse glasses because it’s really tough to see.”
Treece is also warning drivers to make sure they keep right except to pass, otherwise they’ll face a fine.
