NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Starting Tuesday, one Tennessee county will begin its annual doubling in size when the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival begins in Manchester.
The southern Middle Tennessee county of about 65,000 people will explode as people from around the world converge on Coffee County for their annual pilgrimage to The Farm. And with that increase in population comes traffic concerns.
The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) said the area in and around Manchester always sees increased traffic volumes during the festival, so their teams are gearing up for the extra people.
Bonnaroo first-timer’s guide: What you need to know TDOT will be working with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Manchester Police Department, Manchester Fire and Rescue, Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Coffee County EMA and festival promoters to keep traffic moving as efficiently as possible on I-24. The two-lane portion of the interstate is routinely clogged with Bonnaroovians looking to enter the 700-acre farm and set up camp for the weekend; TDOT wants to make sure standard travelers aren’t blocked by festival traffic.
“TDOT has once again coordinated with our agency partners to ensure safe and efficient travel during the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival,” said Deputy Gov. and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley. “The main objective is to keep thru traffic moving smoothly on I-24 while getting festivalgoers safely in and out of the Bonnaroo site. As a result of this planning, we believe we can successfully minimize traffic delays throughout the weekend.”
Performing at Bonnaroo a ‘full circle moment’ for 49 Winchester Some of the measures TDOT is taking throughout the festival include:
- Keeping TDOT maintenance units posted throughout the festival region
- Keeping maintenance personnel on call all weekend
- No construction-related lane closures on I-24 near the festival between 6 a.m. Wednesday, June 12, through 7 p.m. Monday, June 17
- Guarding median crossovers to prevent motorists from parking and blocking emergency vehicles
- Keeping festival traffic in the right lane and/or on the shoulder of the interstate, allowing through traffic to utilize the left travel lane unimpeded
- Having emergency vehicles utilize county roads that will be kept at low volume
- Placing temporary communication towers to improve emergency communication
Additionally, TDOT HELP trucks will be on-site patrolling the interstate and state routes throughout the festival region.
⏩ Read today’s top stories on wkrn.com
Exit 111 (SR-55) will be used as the primary festival exit. Alternate exits will be used if congestion occurs on the interstate. Variable message signs will also be in place to warn drivers ahead of any delays, should they occur.
If any drivers need the assistance of a state trooper while traveling anywhere in Tennessee, they can dial *THP (*847) from their cellphone. They will be automatically connected to the nearest THP dispatch office, and the operator will send a state trooper to their location.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Most Popular
Comments / 0