Dan Brecht and Platte County Economic Development Corporation’s Chairman, Don Smith, have worked closely to work on the sell of 851 Gilchrist St. as PCED’s office.

By Jacob Hamel | Editor

WHEATLAND — With the approach of the eclipse passing over Platte County, a big concern for many residents is traffic.

Sgt. Kyle McKay with the Wyoming Highway Patrol has given some warnings of what to expect during the weekend of the eclipse, as well as suggestions on how to deal with the hike in population throughout the state.
“We’re expecting roughly between 350,000 to 500,000 people, so possibly double the size of Wyoming,” McKay said.
McKay said, although the eclipse will pass over the United States from coast to coast, Wyoming is considered one of the best viewing areas to many for the eclipse because of high altitude and low cloud coverage.
“We’re looking at heavy traffic congestion along the I-25 corridor, and even along I-80 from people traveling to and from the event,” McKay said. His suggestion to those who may have to commute to work on the Monday of the eclipse was to “leave early; stay late.”
“If people can find alternative routes, like secondary highways that won’t be travelled as much, that would be a good suggestion,” McKay said. “But also make sure you have plenty of fuel, water and food incase you do get stuck on the highway.”
It’s also urged to expect poor Internet and phone service during this time. Mobile phones and GPS systems will likely have a hard time connecting.