An estimated 53,000 drivers will travel to the most northern counties in northeast Georgia for the Aug. 21 solar eclipse, according to the state Department of Transportation.
GDOT expects many of these visitors to rely on State Route 15/US 441, and State Route 2/US 76 to attend eclipse-related events in Rabun, White, Habersham, Towns and Union counties.
“Travelers need to be aware that delays along these corridors are inevitable and pulling over or parking on the shoulder is unsafe,” said Brent Cook, P.E., District Engineer out of the Gainesville GDOT office.
The agency plans to restrict construction related lane closures in the counties affected by the solar eclipse. “We will treat that day similar to a holiday travel weekend due to the volume that will be traveling into and back out of the mountain areas for various eclipse events,” Cook added.
GDOT offers these tips for driving during the eclipse:
*Don’t park along the shoulder of the road, highways or interstates
*Exit the roadway and park in a safe area away from traffic before viewing the eclipse
*Turn on headlights if you’re driving during the eclipse
*Don’t look at the sun while driving, also don’t wear the opaque sun shades while driving
*Remember during the eclipse it will be similar to nighttime travel
