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Traffic Preparations
Governor Hochul has directed State Police, DOT and Thruway to prepare for a high volume of traffic the weekend leading up to the eclipse and through April 9. Vehicles are not allowed to park on the shoulder of the highway to view the eclipse. DOT and Thruway will have increased staffing and patrols for maintenance and traffic crews. Additionally, construction and temporary lane closures will be suspended to allow traffic to flow.
Eye Protection
During the eclipse, it is especially unsafe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection and can result in serious injury. The partial phases of the solar eclipse can only be safely observed directly with specialized eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer – regular sunglasses are not a safe replacement. On March 18, Governor Hochul launched a statewide effort to distribute limited-edition I LOVE NY eclipse glasses at 30 locations throughout the state. There is a limited amount of glasses available for distribution daily, and additional sources for eye protection are available here.
Eclipse Events
Governor Hochul announced earlier in March that on April 8 and over the next two weeks, numerous eclipse-viewing gatherings are scheduled at many New York State parks and historic sites. Register for the dozens of events and activities through the OPRHP event calendar and the eclipse website. The Governor also announced that beginning on April 4, 2024, scientists, subject matter experts and astronauts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will be providing programming and exhibits at Niagara Falls State Park as well as throughout the city. Full list of events found here will be free and open to the public.
Come for the Eclipse, Stay for New York
I LOVE NY has launched the multi-platform “Come for the Eclipse, Stay for New York” campaign to present New York as THE place to be to witness this event. The campaign and a special eclipse website highlight viewing location information in the five regions that will experience the path of totality, a variety of attractions and special eclipse-related events happening across the state across its digital platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter/X. A downloadable special edition eclipse poster is also available, created through I LOVE NY’s partnership with acclaimed artist and professional astronomer Dr. Tyler Nordgren. Visit iloveny.com/eclipse for viewing locations and additional safety tips.
To complement any eclipse travel or viewing experience, I LOVE NY created a special eclipse playlist on Spotify, featuring songs that both reference the eclipse or New York State, or are eclipse-adjacent. From classics like Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “Here Comes the Sun” by The Beatles, to David Bowie’s “Starman” and Taylor Swift’s “Welcome to New York,” more than 80 curated songs are available to provide as the ideal total solar eclipse soundtrack.
New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “There’s no better place to take in the upcoming solar eclipse than New York State and under Governor Hochul’s leadership every level of government is working around the clock to make sure this event is as safe and enjoyable as possible. The Department of Transportation will have crews and resources out in force to help people get where they need to go before, during and after the eclipse. But everybody needs to do their part and that means planning ahead. We urge everyone to arrive at their destinations early, stay later, avoid parking on the side of the road and, above all, be patient. A lot of people will be on the roads and it’s up to each of us to keep safety top of mind so everyone can enjoy this natural wonder.”
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