Nashville, Tennessee --- Each year a farm in Manchester is transformed into a venue for one of the biggest concerts in the nation, bringing with it traffic troubles on the already busy I-24. This year, the Tennessee Highway Patrol is again working closely with TDOT, the City of Manchester Police Department and the Coffee County Sheriff's Department to help control the traffic influx expected for Bonnaroo 2006. This year's festival begins Friday, June 16, and runs through Sunday, June 18, with the majority of traffic expected to arrive Thursday, June 15.

"We have worked with TDOT, local law enforcement agencies and festival promoters for the past year preparing for this week's event," stated Colonel Mike Walker. "Keeping I-24 clear and accident free is our main goal and with more than 32,000 cars expected within a 5 mile radius it will take a team effort."

State Troopers will be on the job 24 hours a day beginning Wednesday night, patrolling and controlling traffic on I-24. The THP will work both on the ground and in the air, using helicopters to assess the scene from above and relay important information to the marked patrol cars and motorcycles on the ground.

"Troopers will be out in force not only working to control the congestion caused by Bonnaroo, but also aggressively enforcing our traffic laws," Walker said.

During Bonnaroo 2005, Troopers logged nearly 5,000 man-hours and worked 39 traffic cases and wrote 305 citations and 28 warnings.

Hazardous Moving Violation (HMV) citations written included:

Non-Moving Violations (NMVs) citations written consisted of:

The Tennessee Department of Safety's mission is (www.tennessee.gov/safety) to ensure the safety and general welfare of the public. The department encompasses the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Office of Homeland Security and Driver License Services. General areas of responsibility include law enforcement, safety education, motorist services and terrorism prevention.