County prepares for eclipse travelers

Susan Spudich fills her car Wednesday in Kingdom City. MoDOT is predicting traffic problems on Interstate 70 and U.S. 54, which intersect in Kingdom City, on Monday. Spudich was passing through between St. Louis, where she lives, and Jefferson City. She said she may return to the area to watch the eclipse.
Susan Spudich fills her car Wednesday in Kingdom City. MoDOT is predicting traffic problems on Interstate 70 and U.S. 54, which intersect in Kingdom City, on Monday. Spudich was passing through between St. Louis, where she lives, and Jefferson City. She said she may return to the area to watch the eclipse.

Callaway County is bracing for a giant influx of visitors this weekend as travelers gather to watch the moon blot out the sun.

"We have 556 (hotel) rooms in the county, and we're pretty much sold out," tourism director for Callaway County Renee Graham said. "We know there are a lot of people who have company coming, and we also know there are huge events in Jefferson City and Columbia that may generate traffic through Callaway County."

No one is exactly sure what to expect on Aug. 21, Graham said, because the last total solar eclipse to pass through Mid-Missouri happened more than 500 years ago.

"The eclipse's shadow is 70 miles wide," she said. "About 12.2 million Americans live within the path of totality and 80 percent of the nation, 264 million people, live within a day's drive of totality."

That's likely to result in high concentrations of people within that 70-mile swath, Graham said.

Area hotels are feeling pressure, according to Tiffany Genarro, general manager at Baymont Inn & Suites Fulton.

"We're sold out Sunday and Monday," she said. "I'm expecting to sell out Friday and Saturday, too."

She added Sunday night's rooms have been booked for almost a year.

Genarro has planned for large events before, having formerly worked at hotels in San Diego. This is, however, her first time in the general manager position during a major event.

"Obviously, we're making sure to be fully staffed and have plenty of food and drink," she said. "We're expecting people to stay here and off the road (due to traffic)."

The hotel has mowed the adjacent field and is inviting guests to bring their own picnic blankets and lawn chairs to view the eclipse, she said.

"I'll be out there, too," she said.

Traffic troubles

The Missouri Department of Transportation has warned traffic could be a serious issue in the area.

"Hot spots for traffic congestion are expected to be in and around the cities of Jefferson City, Fulton, Columbia and Hermann, as these cities are considered to be prime viewing locations to see the total eclipse," a Wednesday MoDOT press release stated.

To help relieve congestion, MoDOT will suspend most construction in Mid-Missouri. Exceptions will be one westbound lane closure on U.S. 54 over Middle River near Fulton and the Route O bridge over Crow's Fork Creek, which is completely closed.

MoDOT will have staff at hot spots to monitor traffic and address incidents, the release said. It also urged drivers to refrain from taking pictures of the eclipse while driving and pull off the road to observe rather than stopping in the middle of traffic.

More information about eclipse-related road issues can be found at modot.org/central/Eclipse2017.htm.

Law enforcement preps

Local law enforcement have been preparing, as well. During a meeting last week, Fulton Police Chief Steve Myers said area law enforcement have been meeting to plan their approach for the big day.

"We'll have 10 extra officers on duty that day," he said.

Officers on bicycles will monitor Memorial Park, and a traffic accident unit will be on standby.

The real traffic problems might come after the eclipse, MoDOT suggested.

"Extreme congestion is expected once the eclipse passes in the afternoon," the MoDOT spokesperson said. "Viewers of the eclipse should leave early for their viewing location, stay put during the eclipse and then leave later to avoid the heavy congestion immediately after the total eclipse."

Graham suggested travelers and residents should approach the day like an "long tailgate."

"Prepare to stay late to avoid the worst of traffic," she said.

Also, she added, don't let warnings about traffic troubles keep you inside.

"We want people to realize that this is a fun event and not to let worries dissuade them from going out and celebrating with fellow human beings," Graham said. "Nothing like this will happen again in our lifetimes in this area."

She said, the next total eclipse visible from Fulton won't happen until 2505.