The Tennessee Department of Transportation is bracing for increased traffic as the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival approaches, scheduled from June 13 to June 16, 2024. The festival, a staple since its 2002 inception, will again convene on a 700-acre farm in Manchester, Tennessee. Anticipating an influx of over 65,000 attendees, the TDOT, in collaboration with multiple agencies, has detailed its traffic management strategy to ensure attendees and thru-traffic are navigated safely and efficiently.
According to a report from the TDOT, Deputy Governor and TDOT Commissioner Butch Eley said, "TDOT has once again coordinated with our agency partners to ensure safe and efficient travel during the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival." He emphasized that the primary goal is to maintain a smooth traffic flow on I-24, all while managing the arrival, and departure of festival participants. Emphasizing preparedness, the agency has announced that it will deploy HELP units to manage traffic and provide assistance, and will suspend construction-related lane closures in the area during the festival.
Motorists can expect HELP trucks patrolling Interstate 24 and surrounding state routes, with Exit 111 (SR-55) serving as the main festival egress point. In the event of heightened congestion, alternate routes will be provided. Variable message signs will alert drivers to any potential delays, and median crossovers will be monitored to ensure they remain clear for emergency vehicles. To facilitate emergency response, low-volume county roads will be reserved for emergency vehicles and temporary communication towers will be established to enhance emergency communication systems.
The TDOT has advised attendees and drivers to make use of the TNSmartWay website for updates on construction activity and live traffic camera feeds. In preparation for any on-road issues, TDOT reminds motorists that they can dial *THP (*847) to be connected to the nearest Tennessee Highway Patrol dispatch office for assistance. The agency stresses always being informed before traveling and discourages the use of phones for texting, tweeting, or calls while driving.
