LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — There are just 110 days until the 2024 total solar eclipse, and the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) has announced its plan to address the massive influx of traffic the state will see.
"This could potentially be the biggest economic moment ever in Arkansas history," ARDOT spokesperson Dave Parker said. "We've been talking about the eclipse for two years, actually, in August of 2021."
ARDOT projects this could be the most significant economic moment and the most prominent tourist event in state history. In the traffic management plan released on Monday, ARDOT estimates nearly 1.5 million people may make their way to Arkansas.
"We've seen projections as high as three million visitors to the state," Parker said. "We've seen projections as low as an extra 500,000."
Of course, seeing more people comes with a unique set of problems. The path of totality is expected to run from Texarkana, Texas, to the bootheel of Missouri.
"Take your pick, they're all going to be more congested than normal," Parker said. "I think that's a pretty safe bet."
Because of that, travel may be hard, with many expected as soon as the eclipse is over. Parker said to expect drives located in the path to take hours longer than normal.
That brings on a simple message – if you can stay longer, you should.
"Do not all plan to leave Monday afternoon at 2:30, 3 o'clock," Parker said. "We're hoping that they stay. That's going to help us out."
ARDOT will do things up front to alleviate some of that traffic, including working with cities and law enforcement to make sure things go smoothly. While there's no guarantee it will, Parker and ARDOT are hopeful they will be.
"I think, what our preparations, our discussions, everything had been," Parker said. "When we talked to other DOTs that had been through this, their response is, 'You guys are way ahead on this.'"
To read the full plan from ARDOT, click here.