Traffic has flowed smoothly, but jams may hit after eclipse

Traffic management has gone better than expected, and traffic has eased since midday, G. Pétur Matthíasson, communications director at the Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration, told mbl.is.

“There do not appear to be any serious traffic peaks on the roads today. It has simply been spread very evenly throughout the day,” he said.

Traffic has remained fairly steady since Sunday, when heavier traffic linked to the total solar eclipse was first observed. Earlier today, there was a risk that the Hvalfjörður Tunnel might have to close because of possible pollution.

People have gathered in several locations around the country to watch the eclipse and settle in for the night, including at Hellissandur.

“It will be interesting to see how people behave after the solar eclipse and how traffic moves afterwards. Most people have naturally reached their destination and are now settling in for the night,” Matthíasson said.

He said traffic jams were more likely in the evening as people began returning to the capital area, and expected heavy traffic through the Hvalfjörður Tunnel.

“We will of course monitor that closely. But it is very good that things are going so well now, and we are pleased about that,” he said.