Kerr County releases traffic plan ahead of April 8 eclipse

Kerr County officials announced Monday that there are no road closures planned out during the eclipse event on Monday, April 8, but say that detours are likely.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha told county commissioners during the regular session on Monday that there is some misinformation circulating in the community and encourages the public to get their facts from credible sources.  Leitha reminds everyone that the county, city and local authorities will be funneling information through one website:  www.kerrvilleeclipse.com.  “In the county, we are not closing any roads, but traffic will be redirected if and when needed-especially in the immediate aftermath of the eclipse Monday afternoon,” said Leitha.

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly is encouraging people who live in the immediate area to stay at home on April 8, if possible, since authorities will be trying to manage the exodus as people arrive at varying times from out of town to watch the eclipse.  Kelly says that heavy planning has been underway for more than two years for this event.

Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas has released the following eclipse traffic information:

NO ROAD CLOSURES are planned for any road in Kerr County, other than in the immediate area of Louise Hays Park.The Texas Department of Transportation will adjust Sidney Baker Street lanes to accommodate out and traffic.  The most traffic on area roads is anticipated during the day on Monday.

ACCESS POINTS:  The current traffic plan, while flexible, works to move as much traffic as possible to the numerous exits on Interstate 10.  TxDOT will have message boards stationed at key traffic areas.

NEED TO TRAVEL?  Local residents who must get out and travel on eclipse weekend are encouraged to take alternate routes that make use of roads other than TX-27 or TX-16.

PLAN AHEAD:  Locals are encouraged to plan for traffic congestion and are encouraged to attain any needed items in advance of eclipse weekend.  Be aware that cellphone services and credit card processing machines may be interrupted temporarily due to high demand.

GETTING TO INTERSTATE 10:  If south of Kerrville, the fastest way for motorists to reach I-10 will be via TX-173 at Camp Verde and then east on TX-27 to Comfort.  If West of Ingram, the fastest way to I-10 will be via TX-27 to Ingram, then West on TX-41 to I-10.

LIMIT EMERGENCY CALLS TO LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS:  Please reserve calls to emergency services for serious threats to life and property, as first responders in the local police and fire departments, the sheriff’s office, the county’s volunteer fire departments and other first responders will be working at full capacity to meet the vital needs of local residents and visitors.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  More information related to the eclipse and its “path of totality” over Kerr County can be found at www.kerrvilleeclipse.com.

Kerr County Commissioner (Pct. 2) Rich Paces has been serving as the court’s liaison on the community’s eclipse planning committee and says that anyone who is unable to call for help due to a cellphone service outage should go to their nearest volunteer fire station.  All volunteer fire stations will have radios and other means of communication and will be manned with personnel trained in first aid.