Law enforcement agencies warn drivers about eclipse day traffic

http://www.wpsdlocal6.com/story/36059091/law-enforcement-agencies-warn-drivers-about-eclipse-day-traffic

CARTERVILLE, IL – (Rachel Krause, WPSD-TV.  Please click on the link above for the full story.  Here is an excerpt below.)

Local law enforcement agencies are saying Interstate 57, State Route 13, and all the other highways in the region could look like parking lots. The “locals” are recommended to take two lane highways and backroads. (WPSD-TV photo)

In less than three weeks, thousands of people from around the country will flood the area to see the sky go dark for the total solar eclipse.

Many of those visitors will be hitting  interstates and other roads in the Local 6 area to get to eclipse events and concerts. The thousands of extra cars that will hit roads are likely to back up traffic along Interstate 57 and Highway 13, and that has many with the Illinois Department of Transportation and local law enforcement agencies concerned.

We just won’t know until we get there how it’s going to be,” said Brian Murrah with the Williamson County Sheriff’s Department. Murrah said they’re asking people to plan ahead when possible, so they’re not stuck waiting on roads for hours on eclipse day.

“I mean, the state routes may look more like parking lots than highways with all the backups and delays with how it’s going to be,” Murrah said.