As the highly anticipated April 8 eclipse draws nearer, states within the path of totality are bracing for increased traffic, some of which may affect commercial vehicle travel. Texas is no exception.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles has announced a significant prohibition on size and weight-permitted travel on the day of the eclipse – Monday, April 8 – from midnight to midnight.
These restrictions will impact 83 counties spanning a 480-mile stretch through the Lone Star State, including Anderson, Atascosa, Bandera, Bell, Bexar, Blanco, Bosque, Bowie, Brown, Burnet, Camp, Cass, Cherokee, Coleman, Collin, Comal, Comanche, Coryell, Dallas, Delta, Denton, Dimmit, Edwards, Ellis, Erath, Falls, Fannin, Franklin, Freestone, Frio, Gillespie, Grayson, Gregg, Hamilton, Harrison, Hays, Henderson, Hill, Hood, Hopkins, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Kinney, Lamar, Lampasas, Leon, Limestone, Llano, Marion, Mason, Maverick, McLennan, McCulloch, Medina, Menard, Milam, Mills, Morris, Navarro, Parker, Rains, Real, Red River, Robertson, Rockwall, San Saba, Smith, Somervell, Sutton, Tarrant, Titus, Travis, Upshur, Uvalde, Val Verde, Van Zandt, Williamson, Wood and Zavala.
This event marks the first total solar eclipse to pass over Texas since 1878. Projections estimate that up to 1 million people will travel to, through, and within the state to witness totality.
In addition to the restrictions, TxDOT has prepared highway signs to facilitate safe traffic flow and has temporarily halted some road construction and maintenance work along major corridors from April 7 to April 9, based on traffic volumes.
Truckers with inquiries regarding travel restrictions can contact the Texas DMV permit office for assistance at 1-800-299-1700.
Source: Land Line