How crowded will Cleveland be on April 8?
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) – We are just four days away from the total solar eclipse and while you can expect to see something spectacular in the sky, you can also expect some massive crowds on the ground.
The City of Cleveland gave an update on how they are preparing for the big day.
The city is expecting anywhere from 140,000 to 200,000 people packing the area from Edgewater Beach to The Great Lakes Science Center. That’s equal to roughly the crowd of three Browns games all at one time. The Mayor said the influx of visitors on Monday will be like a Browns game, Cavs game, Guardians game and St. Patrick’s Day all combined.
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While the crowds may be good for the city’s economy, it can become a major concern for public safety. Council’s safety committee met with Cleveland Police on Wednesday to prepare.
Cleveland’s Police Chief said all of the city’s officers will be working that day and all districts will be fully staffed. They won’t just be working downtown.
“In our districts we have our normal operations that will answer calls for service,” said Cleveland Police Chief Dorothy Todd. “We’re also looking at those parks and rec centers for any event that we know is going to take place or be scheduled and the unscheduled that happens there as well.”
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The biggest concern right now is traffic, especially since there will be so many road closures. Drivers should expect widespread parking bans from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday. Guardians gameday parking bans will also be in effect as well as road and highway ramp closures.
The city is making sure they have a plan in place if an emergency arises in the massive crowds.
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“If we’re being told something is happening on the east side or the south side we have the flexibility to move people around to handle any issues that arise,” said Cleveland Traffic Commissioner Gordon Holmes.
If you work downtown the city said it could be a good idea to ask to work from home on Monday so you don’t add to the congestion. If you have to be there, be prepared for road closures, delays, and limited cell service.
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