THP and TDOT prepare for 2016 Bonnaroo Festival
JACKSON, Tenn. — The Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Department of Transportation are gearing up for a Middle Tennessee music festival that brings large crowds from all over the country.
Travelers planning to travel on Interstate 24 this weekend should be prepared for thick traffic near Manchester for the Bonnaroo Music Festival. The annual festival is one of the most popular music events in the country that attracts music lovers to a 700- acre Middle Tennessee farm that becomes the temporary home for thousands of people for several days in June. Around 80,000 festival-goers visit Manchester for the event which causes an increase in traffic in the area.
According to a press release, the THP and TDOT are working together to ensure safe, efficient travel around Manchester and I-40 throughout the festival. They are working in conjunction with the Manchester Police Department, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department and festival promoters to keep traffic moving on I-24 while also assuring festival-goers get to their destination, according to the release.
“The Tennessee Highway patrol is committed to reducing crashes and saving lives on Tennessee roadways”, Colonel Tracy Trott said. “Our troopers will take a zero tolerance approach as they enforce the laws during this event. We believe that the efforts of THP along with TDOT and that of all of our partners in public safety are contributing to reducing traffic related incidents and fatalities.”
The release states, if drivers need the assistance of a state trooper while traveling anywhere in Tennessee, they can simply dial *THP(*847) from their cell phone. They will be automatically connected to the nearest THP dispatch office and the operator will send a state trooper to their location, according to the release.
