The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is getting ready for extra traffic in the area, in preparation for Bonnaroo Music Festival that will take place in Manchester, TN, from Thursday through Saturday night. This year, the music and arts festival is expected to bring in over 40,000 guests to the area.
TDOT has been working with the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), the Manchester Police Department, Manchester Fire and Rescue, Coffee County Sheriff's Department, Coffee County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), and festival promoters to ensure people get to their destination safely, and manage the congested traffic.
“The main objective is to keep through traffic moving smoothly on I-24 while getting festivalgoers safely into and out of the Bonnaroo site. Because of advance planning, we feel certain that we can successfully minimize traffic delays throughout the weekend,” says TDOT Interim Commissioner Joe Galbato.
Bonnaroo opens up on Wednesday at 8 PM to allow more time for vehicles to enter.
TDOT will be taking additional steps in order to help with traffic management, such as efforts being concentrated on keeping I-24 traffic flow, variable message signs being in place to warn drivers of delays, and temporary communication towers being put in place to improve emergency communications.
TDOT reminds drivers they can dial *THP (*847) from their cell phone if they need the assistance of a state trooper while traveling anywhere in Tennessee. They will be automatically connected to the nearest Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP) dispatch office and the operator will send a state trooper to their location.
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Source: Tennessee Department of Transportation
