Krista Seymour
Public Information Officer
502.367.6411

Louisville, KY (April 11, 2005) – Beginning today, Monday, April 11, the freeway service patrols formerly known as "Freeway Friends," managed by TRIMARC in the Louisville-Southern Indiana area, will be provided by Samaritania, a company specializing in providing professional roadside assistance in communities such as Chicago, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Boston, Detroit, Indianapolis, Providence and Washington DC. The "TRIMARC Freeway Service Patrol," with a new provider and newly renamed, will still be provided free to motorists as part of the TRIMARC Freeway Management System under the direction of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Indiana Department of Transportation.

Samaritania’s drivers have a multitude of talents and certifications. They are Nationally Certified Auto Mechanics and Nationally Certified Animal Control Officers. The drivers are capable of making numerous on-site auto repairs, providing gas, oil, or other needed vehicle fluids, and is in direct communication with Louisville Metro Police or other agencies to request assistance when needed.

The TRIMARC Freeway Service Patrol will operate one van from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a second van patrolling from 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and again from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. TRIMARC also operates the patrols for two of Louisville’s busiest days, Thunder-Over-Louisville and the Kentucky Derby.

For the past several years, "Freeway Friends" has been provided in partnership with AAA Kentucky. They have decided to end their participation in this service. In 2004, the patrol vans made over 5,600 stops along the interstates in the Metro Louisville area providing assistance to motorists, inspecting abandoned vehicles, and assisting public safety officials.

TRIMARC is a Freeway Management System funded through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Indiana Department of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration. For more information on TRIMARC and regional traffic conditions, visit www.trimarc.org.

To report a pot hole or any other problem on a state maintained highway, call the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet toll-free at 1-800 PATCH IT, or 1-800-728-2448. Log on to www.transportation.ky.gov/d5 for the latest in construction and maintenance activities in our area. Dial 511 or log on to 511.ky.gov for the latest in traffic and travel information in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

--30--