Kentucky state and local agencies are preparing for an influx of travelers during the total solar eclipse that will sweep across 13 states on the afternoon of Monday, April 8, 2024. The celestial event is expected to bring at least 150,000 visitors to several Western Kentucky counties, with more than 1 million travelers expected to drive through Kentucky to viewing spots along the main path in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois.

According to NASA, a total solar eclipse is when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, blocking the sun’s light. The phenomenon happens when the Earth, moon and sun are aligned and only the corona of the sun is visible, like a halo. This rare event can be observed only in specific regions.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) is working with Kentucky Emergency Management (KYEM), Kentucky State Police (KSP) and local emergency agencies on event impacts, including the potential traffic issues that may arise from thousands of visitors traveling through the commonwealth.

The total solar eclipse will impact eight Kentucky counties and clip portions of four others. The totality phase will enter Kentucky around 2 p.m., CDT, in parts of Fulton and Hickman counties before rolling across Ballard, McCracken, Livingston, Crittenden, Union and Henderson counties along the Ohio River. It also clips small portions of Carlisle, Graves, Webster, and Daviess counties.

The total eclipse will last about one to three minutes in Kentucky. Major cities along its path include Paducah, Morganfield and Henderson. Areas to the north in Ohio, Indiana and Illinois will have four minutes or more of totality, so increased traffic is likely in Northern Kentucky counties that border viewing sites in neighboring states.

Traffic into and through Western Kentucky along Interstate Highway 24, Interstate Highway 69 and U.S. Highway 41 is expected to be congested, as is traffic along the Pennyrile Parkway and the U.S. Highway 68/Kentucky Highway 80 corridor before, during and after the eclipse. The eclipse could add traffic to Interstate Highway 165 and U.S. Highway 231, as well as Interstate Highways 64, 65, 71, 75, 165 and other corridors and back roads, as well as Ohio River crossings where traffic passes through Kentucky. 

Several local communities in the total viewing path are organizing eclipse-related events on April 8. For more information visit the Kentucky tourism website.

Spectator Tips for a Safe Event

Transportation officials offer the following suggestions for event goers:

• Get eclipse-viewing glasses early. Regular sunglasses are not safe.
• Fill up your gas tank before traveling in the event of traffic delays.
• Do not stop along highways or emergency shoulders.
• Do not take pictures while driving. Exit the highway to view or photograph the event.
• Turn on headlights.
• Drive alert and watch for pedestrians.
• Come early, stay late. This will help minimize major traffic delays.
• Plan ahead. Book accommodations early and select a viewing destination before you travel. Locations with restrooms and food will be in high demand.
• Travel with enough food and water for everyone in your vehicle. Expect lines at restaurants, convenience stores and grocery stores.
• Check the local weather.

  Looking directly at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause eye damage. Protective glasses specifically made to view solar eclipses must be used for safe viewing.

  Additional eclipse resources are available at:
  http://www.GreatAmericanEclipse.com
  https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/

  For up-to-date Kentucky traffic and travel information, visit goky.ky.gov or navigate traffic by downloading the free Waze app to your mobile device. For traffic and travel information specific to the area encompassing the path of eclipse totality in Kentucky, follow these pages: facebook.com/KYTCDistrict1 and facebook.com/KYTCDistrict2.

Potholes are showing up everywhere! Why is that and how do they get fixed?

Potholes are caused by water seeping into the cracks of asphalt. This is caused by water getting into surface cracks caused by a weakened asphalt. Winter in the Metro Louisville area can be brutal with the constant amount of rain and snow that we have in the area. If the asphalt is already weakened, then the pothole is inevitable. Potholes are hard on our cars!

The good news? This is one of the easiest things to get fixed! How do you do that?

Report it! Be sure to give the exact location.

Metro need your help reporting potholes, use one of the methods below;

1. Use an online form by clicking here.

Use Twitter by sending the location of the hole to @LouMetro311 and include the hashtag #502pothole. 3. Call Metro311 or 574-5000 to report potholes or any other issues. 4. Call our office at 574-1118, and we'll turn it in on your behalf.