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N.H. officials urge visitors headed to state for solar eclipse to stay on highways
“Traffic generated by the solar eclipse will impact roads throughout New Hampshire.”
If you’re headed to New Hampshire to catch a glimpse of the total solar eclipse on April 8, transportation officials have a request: stay on the highways.
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation issued the plea on Monday, encouraging anyone planning to visit Coos County for the eclipse to use state highways to reach their viewing destination and for return trips.
“Some secondary highways and local roads were not designed to handle large volumes of traffic, and springtime in the north country can bring frost heaves and very soft shoulders,” the department wrote. “Traffic generated by the solar eclipse will impact roads throughout New Hampshire. Please obey all officers assisting with traffic control as well as all signs and traffic control devices. Be prepared for slow travel heading south after the eclipse on Monday evening.”
New Hampshire, along with Vermont and Maine, is among the states in the eclipse’s path of totality.
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“There are limited roads leading in and out of the northern part of New Hampshire,” New Hampshire officials wrote on a page dedicated to the eclipse. “Visitors are urged to avoid unnecessary travel on the day of the eclipse, so choose your viewing location ahead of time and plan to arrive early and stay late. Do not plan to pull over on the side of the roadways to view the eclipse. Doing so can put you at risk of getting stuck in mud or snow, and tow trucks will face major delays in getting to you.”
Officials in New Hampshire aren’t alone in offering specific travel advice to the visitors expected to head to northern New England to view the eclipse. Officials in Vermont, and Maine are also issuing warnings and tips for how to safely view the eclipse on April 8.
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Vermont officials said that several state parks will offer good views of the eclipse, including Bomoseen, Grand Isle, Knight Point, and Waterbury Center. But state officials urged travelers to stay off trails, sticking to designated parking areas and following “mud season” rules.
“Be prepared for inclement weather and dress accordingly,” they wrote. “Weather and temperatures in early April can be unpredictable. The temperature may drop significantly during the event.”
In Maine, several communities are in the path of totality, with Houlton being the last towns in the nation to see the event and one of the spots expected to experience the longest period of total darkness in the state, according to officials. Like officials in New Hampshire and Vermont, the state is urging visitors to plan ahead and for unpredictable weather.
“Do not park on the interstate, on road shoulders, on muddy areas, or in work zones,” the state’s Department of Transportation urged. “Make sure your headlights are on during the eclipse if you’re traveling on a roadway.”
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