Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - City of Buffalo Public Works Commissioner Nate Marton says it may not be easy to predict the amount of people coming to the city to view the Total Solar Eclipse on April 8, but the city is taking necessary precautions to ensure that traffic can flow as optimal as possible before, during and especially, following the event.
Marton mentions the city specifically is going to be halting all construction projects to ensure construction will not hinder traffic and prevent street or lane closures.
"We've made notice to all construction companies, private and public, trying to do work in the city, that there will be no closures allowed, starting as soon as Saturday and then through Tuesday morning," added Nolan Skipper, City of Buffalo engineer.
Skipper also mentions that their will be dedicated city workers doing sweeps of the city this weekend to enforce construction sites will be temporarily halted.
Will there be changes to traffic signal timings? Skipper mentions that they do have the technology to change traffic signals for a few key corridors during busy traffic times if necessary, like Niagara Street,
We can actually make adjustments from the back office on signal timings. This kind of comes back to what we feel maybe the most important time to have that technology in place is, that 4 pm - 5 pm range when people start to depart the region. So we have that technology, and we do have staff members, even though City Hall has announced the Monday closure, we do have a number of staff members with expertise on infield adjustments, but also backups, adjustments that are planned and staff that can assist with some of those major corridors, as we see the need.
NIITEC is working extensively with Buffalo, Niagara Falls and the state to offer up-to-date services which includes constantly monitoring the highways and major roadways, 24/7 in Western New York with about 160 highway cameras. They can also send direct messages which can prompt the NYSDOT to change their highway signage or the cities can use to send alerts.
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The traffic congestion will be inevitable, especially if you are leaving the city after the eclipse, so pack your patience.
The City of Buffalo is also stressing the importance of parking in legal parking spots. Do not park on the grass of parks and do not park on someone's lawn to ensure that first response vehicles can effectively move around the city in case of a medical emergency. The City of Buffalo will be a strong enforcer and issue parking fines if there is no compliance.
Commissioner Marton reminds the public to pack their patience. There will inevitably be delays, especially if you are trying to leave after immediately following the eclipse and be courteous to those to all travellers who are not familiar with the area.
"You might be in traffic for a longer period of time. Be prepared, be ready and just be patient. The traffic will clear."
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