Local

DOT prepares for solar eclipse traffic in the Carolinas

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Two million people are expected to travel through the Carolinas to get the best view for Monday's Great American Eclipse.

While most people are traveling to South Carolina to watch, traffic will still be impacted in Charlotte.

Traffic is expected to pick up starting Friday as thousands of drivers make their way through Charlotte to get in place for the eclipse.

Department of Transportation officials worked with highway patrol for months trying to brace themselves for the traffic.

Digital billboards are going up along the interstates reminding viewers to plan ahead.

“It's nice. It’s like once in a million years,” Quang Kaugat said.

[SPECIAL SECTION: The Great American Eclipse]

They're using 42 boards along with three cameras to monitor traffic. They'll also place five State Farm safety trucks along the interstate in the case of emergency.

It will be the first coast-to-coast eclipse in nearly 100 years bringing excitement, anticipation and uncertainty for transportation managers

The congestion might deter some travelers.

“I heard the traffic is going to be so bad, I don't think we're going to do it,” Pete Felkner said.

(Steve Udelson's Solar Eclipse Timing and Forecast)

“We are staying until Tuesday so that will help us get home,” Jackie Houg said.

Most of their resources are going to the mountain counties.

But, they said they know people will be coming through the Charlotte metro area all weekend trying to get to the mountains or parts of South Carolina.

“This is very significant. It’s going to generate congestion we may not have seen previously. It's kind of hard to measure to other events because we don't have a recent event to compare it to, so we are being very cautious," Jen Thompson, a spokesperson for the NCDOT, said.

The DOT is urging out-of-towners to bring maps and watch road signs and to not rely on GPS.

The biggest concern is distraction.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com: