Updated at 5:56 p.m.
Those who drove to northern Vermont in recent days to view the total solar eclipse Monday afternoon quickly poured into the southbound lanes of Vermont’s interstate highways and other roadways later after the astronomical event concluded.
They flooded the streets of Burlington, Montpelier, St. Albans, Middlebury and other towns and cities across the state, causing backups in many places.
In Montpelier, a sliver of sun had only just reappeared from behind the moon, but already the first groups of people were up and shooting across the Statehouse lawn. There had been upwards of a thousand people gathered there to watch the eclipse, but within ten minutes of totality only about half remained. With an almost-total eclipse still in the sky, traffic had already reached a standstill in both directions on State Street.
As of 5:45, online traffic websites showed heavy traffic on nearly all roads heading south out of the state, including interstates 89 and 91, as well as Routes 100 in Waterbury, 14 in Newport, 5 in St. Johnsbury, 7 in Shelburne and 22A in Vergennes.
Along Interstate 89, southbound traffic appeared particularly congested near Williston, Richmond, Waterbury, Middlesex, Montpelier, Berlin, Royalton, Sharon and Rockingham. On Interstate 91, traffic was slow near Newport, Lyndon, St. Johnsbury, Ryegate and Bradford.
Shortly after the eclipse Monday afternoon, Eric Forand, director of Vermont Emergency Management, told Vermont Public that, for those who came to the state from elsewhere, “the exit is a little harder than getting here.”
“We’re hoping that everyone is nice and patient,” Forand said. “We’re looking for everyone to stay out of the breakdown lanes so emergency traffic can get through.”
His advice to travelers: “If you can stay a little bit longer, please do.”
Juan Vega de Soto contributed reporting.
