Construction on phase two of the New York State Fair Orange Parking lot project has been completed.

The $11.8m project included the construction of a new eastbound ramp on I-690 to eliminate the need for a traffic signal on the highway during the fair.

The I-690 on-ramp also serves pedestrians with a 10ft-wide walkway, easing the trip to and from the Orange lot.

The $27m first phase of the project was completed in 2018 and created over 7,000 spaces in the parking lot, up from 4,000 to 5,000 that were available on the earlier dirt surface.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo said: “The completion of this project is about more than just a parking lot – it’s proof that regardless of the challenges we face, New York will continue moving forward and building back better.

“These new road access improvements enhance the great work we have already done at the New York State Fairgrounds, making it one of the state’s biggest tourist attractions and ensuring that when the State Fair returns it will be stronger than ever before.”

The New York State Fair was not held this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The state is making enhancements to make sure that people attending future events at the fairgrounds will have an easier time accessing parking lots and leaving on the major thoroughfares.