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VDOT: Make plans to rotate travel around solar eclipse

This article was republished with permission from WTOP’s news partner InsideNoVa.com. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com’s free email subscription today. Read the article on Inside Nova. 

The Virginia Department of Transportation is reminding travelers to keep their eyes on the road during April’s solar eclipse.

Virginia is positioned to see a partial solar eclipse, as much as 87 percent eclipsed in Northern Virginia, as the moon blocks part of the sun on Monday, April 8.

If your afternoon plans include viewing the eclipse, here are some reminders from VDOT:

  • Do not pull over and park on the shoulders or ramps of highways to view or photograph the eclipse
  • Choose a safe location to stop and see the celestial event
  • After choosing a safe viewing location, be sure to exit your vehicle cautiously

If not stopping to view the event, motorists should anticipate reduced visibility and are encouraged to turn on their headlights.

Drivers should not wear eclipse sunglasses while driving.

There will also likely be congestion along highways as the sky darkens and even after the event as travelers return to the roads, VDOT says.

Washington Manassas Airport cleared to offer commercial airline flights

Washington Manassas Airport, formerly known as Manassas Regional Airport, has taken a big step toward its goal of offering passenger service. The airport, which is owned by the city of Manassas, Virginia, received its FAA Part 139 Airport Operating Certificate, a designation required before commercial airlines can begin service. During a ceremony Monday, FAA Associate Administrator Dan Edwards presented a framed version of the certificate to airport leaders.  Edwards said it's "extremely rare" for an existing airport that caters to private flights to clear this hurdle. 
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