Governor: Eclipse could be among state’s largest tourist events ever

The total solar eclipse on April 8 could be “one of the largest tourism events in our state’s history,” Gov. Sarah Sanders said Monday (March 4). Various state agencies are making preparations, including the Department of Transportation, which will pause road construction April 5-9.

In a press conference at Arkansas Department of Transportation headquarters alongside some of her cabinet officials, Sanders said she does not know how many people will visit the state during the event, but a large number is expected. She said others have estimated from 300,000 to 1 million. Weather and other factors could affect how many come to Arkansas versus viewing the eclipse in another state.

“Many people will be coming to our state for the first time, and we want to make sure they keep coming back time and time again,” she said.

Sanders said Arkansas State Police and members of the National Guard will be on call to respond to emergencies, while Arkansas Division of Emergency Management personnel will be on standby. Arkansans seeking more information about events, lodging or protective glasses can go to arkansas.com/eclipse.

Starting at 1:49:04 p.m. on April 8, the moon will completely obscure the sun across a 123.4-mile path of totality from the southwestern to the northeastern part of Arkansas. The full darkness will last 4 minutes and 26 seconds, according to greatamericaneclipse.com. Nearly two-thirds of Arkansas will be in the path of totality. The rest of the state will experience a partial eclipse. The moon’s shadow will be moving at 1,564 miles per hour across the sun.

Arkansas Department of Transportation Director Lori Tudor said her department began planning for the eclipse two years ago and has developed a traffic management plan. The department has scheduled a construction holiday where there will be no lane closures or active work zones from April 5-9. ARDOT also has been working with the Arkansas Trucking Association to limit oversize and overweight loads.

If necessary, traffic will be detoured onto parallel routes. Arkansas Highway Police and ARDOT staff will be stationed on routes with gasoline, food, water and emergency aid, Tudor said. Rest areas and welcome centers will be stocked with extra supplies, first aid kits and medical equipment. The IDriveArkansas website will have updated traffic information.

Secretary Shea Lewis said the Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism has been communicating with communities about the eclipse since 2021. Information about community activities being planned is available at arkansas.com/eclipse.

He said Russellville has been selected as one of the top 10 locations to view the eclipse by Astronomy.com, while Outside magazine recognizes the Buffalo National River as a premier viewing spot.

Lewis said the 26 state parks within the path of totality are offering programs related to the eclipse. Detailed operational plans and visitation and vehicle thresholds have been developed. Plans have been created to manage traffic and congestion. Parks in totality are currently at 89% occupancy.

He said the state has communicated with outsiders through social media and a satellite media tour where he did 27 interviews with outlets from Seattle, Boston, Houston and elsewhere. Sanders participated in an hour’s worth of interviews.

Secretary of Education Jacob Oliva said 103 school districts have notified the Department of Education that they will be closed April 8. He said the agency has been working with schools and has conducted more than 30 professional development events about “this wonderful science experiment.”

Through a partnership with Entergy, the department is deploying roughly a million eclipse-viewing glasses to schools while it is working with the state library system to deploy more than a million glasses to local libraries.

Other state agencies are also preparing for the event. Arkansas Division of Emergency Management Director A.J. Gary said the state emergency operations center will be activated. Secretary of Human Services Kristi Putnam said DHS county offices will be operational the day of the eclipse, but employees will be encouraged to do remote work when possible. The department has requested that its around-the-clock facilities have an emergency plan in place with local emergency services providers.

Secretary of Health Renee Mallory said her department has been working with the Arkansas Hospital Association and Arkansas Ambulance Association to plan for potential delayed response times, surge events or communication failures.