- Road closures will be in place across Niagara Parks properties, the City of Niagara Falls and Town of Fort Erie on Monday, April 8
- Traffic delays expected, guests advised to plan ahead for the upcoming total solar eclipse
- All road closures are at the discretion of police and could be adjusted as required
- Parking lots available throughout the destination including at Rapidsview Parking Lot with a dedicated WEGO Shuttle to the Falls
- Access to boat launches will be limited on Monday, April 8
Niagara Falls, ON – In anticipation of high visitation levels in Niagara Falls and Fort Erie with guests traveling to the area to view the upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024, a road closure plan will be implemented to reduce challenges due to vehicular congestion and increase the safety of pedestrians.
On Monday, April 8, 2024, Niagara Falls and the Town of Fort Erie will be directly in the path of totality to experience a total solar eclipse around 3:18 p.m. The once-in-a-lifetime celestial event is expected to bring large amounts of people to the region for the unique chance to view one of the world’s most spectacular natural phenomenon taking place over another – Niagara Falls. For more information about events and programming related to the eclipse, please visit niagaraparks.com/eclipse.
The Niagara Parks Police Service (NPPS) is continuing to work with the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS), local emergency services, municipalities and other stakeholders, to develop and implement a robust and integrated safety plan to support the expected influx of people to the region and particularly Niagara Falls and Fort Erie. As part of this planning, a series of road closures will be in place throughout the day of the eclipse.
City of Niagara Falls
On Monday, April 8, 2024, in the City of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Parkway will be closed to vehicular traffic from Queen Street to Fraser Hill, beginning at 12 p.m. until 12 a.m. midnight, coinciding with the concert in Queen Victoria Park that afternoon and evening and the fireworks planned for 10 p.m. Clifton Hill from Victoria Avenue to Falls Avenue will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 12 p.m. noon until 12 a.m. midnight, along with Murray Street from the Niagara Parkway to Fallsview Boulevard.
For information concerning alternative access and parking for the businesses and properties within the road closure area, please contact the respective businesses to inquire. Access to Niagara Parks’ Falls Parking Lot will continue from the south.
Town of Fort Erie
Road closures are also planned for the Town of Fort Erie on Monday, April 8, beginning at 8 a.m. The south Niagara Parkway (Niagara Boulevard) will be closed in both directions from Central Avenue to Dominion Road, as well as Dominion to Albert Street. As a reminder, the south Niagara Parkway remains closed from Netherby Road to Townline Road (detour in place), due to construction on the Black Creek Bridge.
All road closures will be at the discretion of the Niagara Parks Police Service and Niagara Regional Police Service and timing may be adjusted as required.
Parking and Transportation
Guests are advised to plan for the road closures and anticipated traffic delays by preparing to park and walk or take public transit to their preferred viewing location for the solar eclipse. There are a number of parking lots throughout Niagara Parks properties and the City of Niagara Falls, including Niagara Parks’ Rapidsview Parking Lot (located on Upper Rapids Boulevard) with a WEGO shuttle to Table Rock Centre at the brink of the Falls. The Falls Incline Railway will operate on an extended schedule to transport guests from the upper Fallsview area to Table Rock Centre. For more information about parking and transportation at Niagara Parks, visit niagaraparks.com/parking.
Public Transit
With the expected traffic congestion and gridlock both into and throughout the destination, guests are encouraged to consider taking public transit such as the WEGO Bus Service and GO Transit into Niagara Falls.
Niagara Parks’ WEGO Green Line will be rerouted during the road closures and will include a WEGO shuttle from Rapidsview to Table Rock, as well as WEGO bus service to transport guests traveling into the destination on GO Transit. GO and WEGO combination tickets can be purchased. As well, GO Transit will be providing special event service on Monday, April 8. Click here for more information.
WEGO Red line and Blue line will move to reduced routing due to the road closures. Service delays and disruptions should be expected for any routes travelling through the tourism area. For up to the minute bus arrival information please download and refer to the “TRANSIT APP”.
Boat Launches
Aligning with direction across the region and under guidance of the Niagara Parks Police Service, Niagara Parks will be closing access to all public boat launches on its property on Monday, April 8. The City of Niagara Falls Welland River (Chippawa) boat launch will also be closed to the public on Monday, April 8. Only emergency services will have access to the launch.
Guest Planning Considerations
In addition to parking and transportation, there are a number of other tips to consider for guests planning to view the solar eclipse in Niagara Falls and Fort Erie:
- All guests should prepare to bring their own ISO-certified viewing glasses to safely view the total solar eclipse.
- Looking directly at the sun during an eclipse without designated viewing glasses (ISO 12312-2 international standard) can cause serious damage such as partial or complete loss of eyesight.
- Niagara Parks will have a limited supply of viewing glasses at certain locations; however, it is recommended that guests bring their own to avoid disappointment.
- While the road closures are planned for Monday, April 8, increased traffic congestion in and around the Niagara region is expected to begin on Friday, April 5 and build throughout the weekend.
- The expected traffic congestion and gridlock could impact guest movement and access to supplies and amenities; all guests should be prepared and have a full gas tank, extra water and food.
- It is advised that guests dress in layers and prepare for all types of weather conditions.
- Weather can be unpredictable by the Falls and can change quickly.
- As with any large event that brings high levels of visitation into a concentrated area, it is possible that cell signal may be compromised.
- If cell signal does get overwhelmed, it is possible that electronic pay systems may be unavailable – guests should plan to bring cash if needed.
- Niagara Parks does not permit tents or shade structures of any kind throughout the Queen Victoria Park area (Clifton Hill to Kingsbridge Park).
Media Assets are available here.
Additional Resources
For planning tips specific to Niagara Parks’ properties, click here.
For more information about safety and emergency preparedness from the Niagara Regional Police Service, click here.
For more solar eclipse planning tips from the City of Niagara Falls, click here.
For more solar eclipse planning tips from the Town of Fort Erie, click here.
About City of Niagara Falls
The City of Niagara Falls is a vibrant, growing municipality of 94,415. Located on the western bank of the Niagara River in the Greater Golden Horseshoe region of Southern Ontario, the city is an international gateway, forming part of the Canada – United States border. Niagara Falls is also one of 12 municipalities comprising the Niagara Region.
For more information, please visit niagarafalls.ca
About Niagara Parks
Since its establishment in 1885, Niagara Parks has remained a self-financed agency of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, entrusted to preserve and protect the land surrounding Niagara Falls and the Niagara River. Today, Niagara Parks boasts gardens, a horticulture school, recreation, golf courses, restaurants, heritage and historic sites, gift shops and, of course, Niagara Falls. In short, natural landscapes, history, family fun, hiking, culinary delights, attractions and adventure.
For more information, please visit niagaraparks.com
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