CHEMUNG COUNTY, N.Y. (WENY) -- Chemung County Executive Chris Moss has put together a temporary committee to prepare for the upcoming traffic congestion due to the solar eclipse on April 8.  

Chemung County Undersheriff Douglas Houper says they’ll be keeping a close eye on Interstate 86 where travelers will be passing through to get towards the path of totality.  

“The things we're being prepared for are the influx of traffic, the possibility of cell phone interruption, and just the ability for first responders to get where they need to go,” adding “the major concern would be the people that weren't prepared and pull over on Interstate 86 to look at it when it's happening that just causes more problems.” 

According to the Chemung County website, the temporary committee includes the Sheriff’s Office, 911 Civil Defense, Emergency Management, Central Services, Fire Management, and Public Information. 

“We work with the Emergency Management Office of the county where they'll have emergency operation center available just to make sure that we're prepared.  The New York State [Department of Transportation], the Chemung County DOT,  the state police. There's just a bunch of hands in this just to make sure our area is, you know, people get where they need to go safely.”  

Undersheriff Houper says those planning to take on the road, to remain as patient as possible while driving and facing traffic.  

“The other thing is [to] be prepared. If your cell phone coverage goes down and you're counting on that app to take you there, you might be in trouble. So, just make sure you know the route as well.”