NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is expanding its successful HELP Program to assist motorists in rural areas of the state, thanks to Governor Lee and the General Assembly’s historic investment of additional dedicated recurring general fund dollars in the state’s annual budget for infrastructure.
“In rural areas where crashes are often the most severe—drivers tend to speed, traffic is confined to two lanes with limited detour routes, and hospitals are farther away, the Rural Service Patrol fills a critical gap in emergency response coverage, improving safety, and reducing incident clearance times,” said TDOT Commissioner Will Reid, P.E. “We are grateful for the strong leadership that has made this expansion possible to enhance TDOT’s mission to deliver a safe, reliable transportation system that supports economic growth and quality of life.”
Currently, TDOT’s HELP Trucks patrol Tennessee’s four largest urban areas—Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Memphis. With this expansion, the Rural Service Program will launch this spring, starting with Region 2. By the summer of 2026, it will extend across all four regions, covering more than 870 miles of interstate. Members of the media are welcome to use the provided b-roll and Commissioner soundbites with TDOT Courtesy…