BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) -- With throngs of people converging for a multi-day country music event, area traffic officials and security teams are preparing for the influx of attendees.
This year’s Chilifest The country music festival anticipated to attract approximately 40,000 attendees to Snook. Such large crowds necessitate additional personnel to ensure smooth operations for security and traffic management.
When visitors are here and generally having a pleasant experience, they typically aren’t glancing around anxiously," explained Travis Lacox, co-founder of TNT Security. "They rely on us to address these issues, which is exactly what we aim to accomplish. Our goal is for them to have an enjoyable stay.
With long lines of traffic, parking problems, and spotty cell phone service, one of the biggest concerns in making plans for Chilifest is finding a ride. This year, The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and TNT Security worked together to combat some of those traffic concerns.
Safety, security, and traffic management form a collaborative endeavor for one of Brazos Valley’s most thrilling weekends. These teams mention they have been coordinating efforts for several months now. Both TxDOT and TNT Security operate seamlessly throughout pre-event preparations, event day operations, and post-event procedures to ensure that attendees at Chili Fest remain happy and secure.
For us, it’s all about ensuring people enter through the gates contentedly," Lacox added. "If we manage to keep them joyful from the road until they join the event, and ensure they enjoy their time, then send them back home satisfied, it significantly reduces many of our issues.
TNT Security has been managing security for Chilifest attendees for nine consecutive years and mentioned that their staff continuously works on enhancing measures at every festival.
An enhancement included giving teams the option to choose between deploying safety and security staff to streamline access to and egress from the venue. To aid in reducing traffic congestion, TXDoT activated Highway 60, which was still under construction, over the weekend.
"The upcoming new road being developed by TxDOT along with their contractors will benefit our community. They have collaborated effectively for this project, allowing us to launch an additional 1.9-mile stretch of fresh roadway. This extension means we can reroute all Chilly Fest traffic through these newly accessible roads," he clarified.
Authorities additionally mentioned that they anticipate the open road will benefit residents not intending to participate in the celebrations.
"We will permit them to utilize this for guiding their traffic flow. This means that those individuals solely aiming to travel via FM 60 won’t have to remain stuck in that queue," stated James Kreamer, an area engineer at TxDOT.
“I hope it releases congestion, but also just makes things a lot safer,” Kreamer added. “I’m really hoping that it keeps things safer but also allows traffic to move as well.”
Following months of preparation for the big turnout at the event, Lacox and Kreamer concur that this year ought to be their most seamless so far.
To reach Chilifest, participants travel along University Drive (Highway 60) in College Station moving westward, proceed through Snook, and then take a right onto FM 3058.