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IDAHO FALLS — Travelers leaving east Idaho following the total solar eclipse Monday were dealing with major traffic backups more than eight hours after the spectacular event ended.
The Idaho Department of Transportation reports delays in the southbound lanes of I-15 between Idaho Falls and Pocatello. Earlier back-ups along U.S. Highway 20 from Rexburg to Idaho Falls seemed to have cleared Monday evening.
Traffic has been bumper to bumper along this particular section of I-15 since around noon. Some EastIdahoNews.com users said that it took over three hours to get from Idaho Falls to Blackfoot.
“I live in Utah and left right after totality,” Shayna Harrison told EastIdahoNews.com. “It took me 7.5 hours to drive from Rexburg to Layton via I-15. It’s crazy out there.”
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As of Monday evening around 8 p.m., commuters said it was taking over two hours to drive from Idaho Falls to Pocatello.
“We left Idaho Falls on Sunnyside Road at 4:45 (p.m.) and we are a mile and a half past Firth,” Jennifer Wagenaar said.
Traffic seems to ease south of Pocatello and the Utah Department of Transportation is monitoring conditions as drivers enter the Beehive State.
ITD expects heavy traffic through most of Monday evening with the possibility of extra cars on the road Tuesday morning.
Still no good news-this is current traffic SB I15 @113pic.twitter.com/Fbe61AyfGQ
— Idaho State Police (@ISPeasternIdaho) August 22, 2017
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