DATE: August 5, 2021
MEMO TO: South Williamson County Community
RE: FirstBank Amphitheater Traffic and Safety Plan
FROM: Corey Napier, Mayor Thompson’s Station
I am sending this communication in response to the many emails I have received in the past 24 hours regarding traffic and safety concerns related to the grand opening event Tuesday night at the Amphitheater. Without a doubt, those affected by the slow ingress and egress, whether patron or resident, have cause for concern. I have been in contact with the leadership team at the Amphitheater and we are working closely to immediately address several of the identified areas for improvement so that events scheduled for Thursday and Friday create considerably less negative impact to traffic.
I expect traffic flow to improve significantly but still anticipate congestion during peak hours leading into shows. Over the next several weeks, we expect to make continued progress as we learn drive pattern behaviors and flow management will be adjusted accordingly to get people home or to the show, respectively.
As part of the approval process with the Town, the Amphitheater operator provided us with a plan of services to address our concerns regarding traffic bottlenecks and on-site safety for patrons. Their primary stated traffic objective is to have patrons safely on/off grounds in an hour.
Things to know:
- This is a seasonal outdoor facility, peak months generally being April to early October
- Most events are on weekends
- Patrons can arrive several hours early for the event (parking opens at 10 a.m.) and have access to food, beverage, and restrooms in the parking areas
- Most shows start at 7 p.m.
- Peak hours for arrival are between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
- Williamson County Sheriff deputies are deployed at key intersections with signal override capabilities to facilitate traffic flow onto the grounds
- Professional Parking Management Companies are deployed to assist with on grounds parking
- Law enforcement and medical personnel are on grounds. VUMC life flight is on call
- Shared rides are encouraged with special drop off zones
- Residents adjacent to the grounds can receive special car hang tags to allow for faster travel
This event venue is now considered one of Tennessee’s premier locations for live entertainment and is a great amenity for our community as a gathering place and means of generating highly desirable sales tax revenue to help sustain our community and lessen the pressure on resident taxpayers. As with any shared amenity of this nature there will be times of inconvenience just as there is for a Titans game, 4th of July fireworks, or Indy Grand Prix events in downtown Nashville. And, closer to home, the Williamson County Fair.
We are proactively tackling this issue and ask for your patience in the weeks ahead. Unfortunately, traffic is going to get worse for many of us as the Town begins, within the next month, major work on Critz Lane which will be shut down to only local traffic and new road construction in Spring Hill on Buckner at Thompson’s Station Road East. In the next two years, major road improvements including the new I-65 Interchange will help alleviate but not eliminate many of our current traffic concerns.
Please consult our Town website here: https://www.thompsons-station.com/2259/Current-Town-Projects for updates on Town Funded Projects.
Thank you for the emails and your understanding and be looking for additional information at FirstBankAmphitheater.com.
-- Corey Napier, Mayor Thompson’s Station, TN