City of Conway releases solar eclipse guide

As the world eagerly anticipates the rare celestial event of a Total Solar Eclipse, Conway stands ready to welcome visitors and residents alike to witness this awe-inspiring spectacle in a safe environment. On April 8, the skies above Conway will darken as the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow that will traverse the city in a mesmerizing display of natural wonder. This occasion presents an unparalleled opportunity for astronomers, enthusiasts, and curious onlookers to gather and experience the beauty and mystery of the cosmos firsthand.

Our Goal

Deliver a safe environment for the people of Conway and our guests by focusing on public safety and traffic management.

Designated Public Viewing Areas

If you choose to leave home to experience the Eclipse in the company of others, then consider visiting one of the four locations listed below.

City of Colleges Park – 1025 Siebenmorgen Rd, Conway, AR 72032
Conway Station Park – 1501 Robins St, Conway, AR 72034
Laurel Park – 2310 Robinson Ave, Conway, AR 72034
University of Central Arkansas – 201 Donaghey Ave, Conway, AR 72035

Download map.

Eclipse Schedule

12:34 p.m. – Start of Partial Eclipse
1:51 p.m. – Start of Total Eclipse
1:52 p.m. – Maximum Eclipse
1:54 p.m. – End of Total Eclipse
3:12 p.m. – End of Partial Eclipse

Traffic Management

The Eclipse will generate high levels of traffic congestion resulting in unavoidable delays. Traffic patterns will change in the days leading up to the Eclipse as visitors travel through the city, and on the morning of the Eclipse as both visitors and residents position themselves for viewing. In this positioning effort, drivers may take undesired actions such as stopping in the roadway or on the shoulder. Immediately following the Eclipse, most viewers will immediately leave to go home or to their place of lodging, resulting in extreme traffic volumes that far exceed the capacity of our roadways.

In an effort to deliver a safe environment for the people of Conway and our guests on April 8, we’re announcing road closures and the locations for pre-stationed barricades. Please review the information provided below and plan accordingly.

Road closures

The following closures were selected to accommodate the Total Solar Eclipse Event at the University of Central Arkansas and to preserve access to Conway Regional Medical Center.

College Ave from Farris Rd to Donaghey Ave at 9:00 a.m.
Bruce St from Farris Rd to Donaghey Ave at 8:00 a.m.
Northbound lane of Farris Rd closed to thru traffic from Bruce St to College Ave at 12:30 p.m.
Northbound lane of Donaghey Ave closed to thru traffic from Bruce St to College Ave at 12:30 p.m.

Potential closures

Pre-stationed barricades will be placed at the following major intersections and will be deployed if necessary to maintain the safe flow of traffic out of the city once the total solar eclipse ends.

Lower Ridge Rd onto Skyline Rd (HWY 65)
Northbound lane of Museum Rd onto Oak St
Northbound lane of Amity Rd onto Oak St
Northbound lane of Elsinger Rd onto Amity Rd
Northbound lane from Conway Expo & Event Center north to E Oak St

Click the link below for a detailed map for the location of all pre-stationed barricades at minor intersections.

https://media.conwayarkansas.gov/conwayarkansas-media/documents/Conway_-_Eclipse_-_Barricades_-_All_Locations.pdf

Click the link below for the City of Conway’s Total Solar Eclipse Guide

https://conwayarkansas.gov/news/eclipse/

Traffic Bottleneck Points

We expect traffic congestion to occur at our signalized intersections, which are often the bottleneck points on our roadway network. Traffic signals that work well under normal conditions may be quickly overwhelmed as congestion increases.

You can expect traffic congestion in the following areas through 8:00 p.m.

Dave Ward Dr
Donaghey Ave
Harkrider St (Hwy 65)
I-40 / Hwy 65 Interchange
Prince St
Salem Rd
Oak St (Hwy 64)

Download map.

Garbage, Recycling, & Landfill Operations

Recycling routes will not run Monday, April 8.
Commercial garbage collections will run at 4:00 a.m.
Landfill will be open for normal business hours, 7:30 am to 3:30 pm.

When to call 911

An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from police, fire, or ambulance.

Reporting a crime or emergency
Reporting a fire or immediate threat to life or safety
Involved or witness to an accident with injury
Having difficulty breathing, symptoms of a heart attack or stroke
Experiencing sudden, severe pain or severe bleeding
Having an allergic reaction or other medical emergency

City of Conway Non-Emergency Number: 501-450-6120

Safety Tips

Avoid rooftops. Resist the urge to stand on a rooftop to view the total solar eclipse. Rooftops often lack proper safety measures, and standing on them can put you at risk of falling.
Be self-sufficient. Be sure to stock up on fuel, groceries, and prescription medication several days in advance.
Plan for traffic. If you're traveling to a specific location to view the eclipse, be aware increased traffic congestion and plan your route accordingly. Consider carpooling or using public transportation if possible. If you're heading to a time-sensitive medical appointment, then please plan for increased traffic congestion and travel time.
Supervise children. Ensure that children understand the importance of eye safety and supervise them closely to prevent accidental viewing of the eclipse without proper protection.
Practice eye safety. It's never okay to look at the Sun during the solar eclipse without eye protection. The only safe way to look directly at the sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as eclipse glasses. Ordinary sunglasses AREN'T ENOUGH to protect your eyes, DO NOT wear sunglasses to view the eclipse. DO NOT look at the sun through a camera, telescope, or binoculars unless these devices have a solar filter – you eclipse glasses ARE NOT sufficient.

Connect

Connect with the City of Conway for realtime updates.

Resources

Media Contact

Bobby M. Kelly III
bobby.kelly@conwayarkansas.gov