CARBONDALE, Ill. — Monday is the Great American Eclipse and towns across Illinois and Missouri are making big plans to accommodate the influx of visitors.
Carbondale, Illinois, has a population of just under 26,000, but less than a week from the eclipse, there’s a steady stream of cars heading into town.
“I’m super excited,” William Lo, director of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, said. “We’re not going to have another opportunity to have 50,000 people in Carbondale.”
“The energy is palpable in town right now leading up to this big celestial event,” Carbondale spokesperson Amy Fisher said.
At Mary Lou’s Grill longtime owner Marilyn Martin is extending hours and ordering extra food after learning her lesson during the 2017 eclipse.
“We were lined up out the door down the block,” Martin said.
Long lines aren’t the only thing you can expect in Carbondale during the celestial event.
“Our Airbnb’s are about 35 miles from here and they’ve been booked since last March,” Martin said.
Those hoping to find a hotel in town are most likely out of luck.
“It’s slim pickings,” Lo said. “This late in the game bring a van, an RV, or find a campground.”
To accommodate the influx of visitors, city leaders have set up temporary campgrounds in Evergreen Park.
“That’s part of southern Illinois,” Lo said. “We have great places to camp and hike, so make the most of it.”
With the population in town expected to temporarily triple Carbondale leaders are working with cell providers to ensure that everyone still has service.
“There are plans to bring towers in,” Lo said. “It’s kind of like you see at football games where they bring in additional towers and cell service.”
City leaders have been working with IDOT to address traffic concerns, but with just two highways coming in and out of town they’re telling people coming into town for the eclipse to stay awhile.
Traffic is going to be gridlocked,” Lo said. “There’s no way to overcome that. We only have X amount of roads. Stay for a few extra hours, eat, hike, go to the wineries and then leave with empty roads.”
If you're concerned about traffic in and out of Carbondale on Monday, Amtrak is offering trains in and out of town throughout the weekend.
Carbondale is also allowing additional E-scooters across town to help people get around.