Will Reid Prepares I-24 Traffic Plan for Bonnaroo 2026
TDOT says it will have measures in place to move traffic efficiently on Interstate 24 for bonnaroo 2026 in Manchester from June 11 through June 14. The state is treating the four-day festival as a traffic operation as much as an event, with one road corridor carrying the load for arrivals and departures.
Will Reid on I-24
Will Reid said TDOT continues to work closely with partner agencies to support safe, reliable travel throughout the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. He added: “Our priority remains keeping traffic on I-24 flowing efficiently while ensuring festival attendees can enter and exit the site safely.”
That puts the transportation department in the middle of the festival’s busiest movement windows. Manchester typically sees increased traffic around Bonnaroo, and TDOT is pairing its traffic plan with the Tennessee Highway Patrol, the Manchester Police Department, Manchester Fire and Rescue, the Coffee County Sheriff’s Department, Coffee County EMA, and festival promoters.
847 and 911
TDOT is also giving drivers a clear path to help if traffic turns into a roadside problem. Drivers in Tennessee can dial 847 from a cell phone to reach the nearest THP dispatch office, while 911 is reserved for emergencies or life-threatening situations.
TDOT says SmartWay traffic cameras can provide the latest look at traffic or construction activity, which gives drivers a live check before they head toward Manchester. That is the practical piece here: Bonnaroo traffic is predictable enough that the state is not improvising, but coordinated enough that anyone using I-24 should expect the festival footprint to shape travel all weekend.
Manchester June 11-14
Bonnaroo begins Thursday, June 11, and ends Sunday, June 14, which makes the traffic plan a short, concentrated push rather than a long-running operation. For drivers on I-24, the relevant move is simple: check SmartWay first, use 847 for non-emergency highway help, and call 911 when the situation is urgent.
