Niagara Region to close some facilities on April 8 to stem traffic jams

Toronto:

Canada’s Niagara region proactively declared a state of emergency ahead of a rare total solar eclipse on April 8, which is expected to bring large crowds to the region’s popular waterfalls and their surrounding areas.

Niagara Region said in a statement Thursday that regional president Jim Bradley declared a state of emergency “out of an abundance of caution.”

“Declaring a state of emergency … strengthens the tools available to the region to safeguard the health and safety of residents and visitors and to protect our critical infrastructure in any eventuality,” a Niagara Region press release said. “

Located on the Canada-U.S. border, this dramatic waterfall is in the path of the solar eclipse, and many people are spending money in advance on hotels and rentals to experience the phenomenon in one of North America’s natural wonders.

Jim Diodati, the mayor of Niagara Falls, Ont., predicted the Canadian side will have “the largest crowds yet” to watch the eclipse. Diodati expects 14 million tourists and 1 million arrivals throughout the year.

The region will also modify some programs and services and close some facilities on April 8 to prevent traffic congestion.

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