Kentucky Speedway and the state Transportation Cabinet “plan to spend more than $11 million on parking and road improvements in response to the traffic problems that tarnished last month’s inaugural NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race,” according to Kevin Kelly of the CINCINNATI ENQUIRER. There will be “more lanes off Interstate 71, a new parking area serviced by a new pedestrian tunnel, a new company handling the parking and an overhauled traffic plan” for the ’12 NASCAR Sprint Cup Quaker State 400. Crews “demolished the old tobacco barn across Ky. 35 on land the speedway purchased last week and will utilize to expand parking by 35 percent.” Kelly notes “thousands of fans endured lengthy delays” during the July 9 race and the “ordeal left NASCAR concerned and state and speedway officials vowing to fix the problems.” The Transportation Cabinet “will be tapping into its contingency fund to pay for $3.6 million worth of improvements to surrounding roadways and to build a pedestrian tunnel beneath Ky. 35.” The state “plans to bid the project before the end of the year with work expected to be finished before the next Quaker State 400 on June 30.” Kentucky Speedway in July “operated 10 parking areas with a total capacity of about 33,000 cars.” The track “purchased the 142 acres last week for $1.5 million and plans to turn it into a parking area capable of holding 10,000 cars.” In addition, the speedway “plans to spend an additional $6 million on parking improvements and other services, including more restrooms” (CINCINNATI ENQUIRER, 8/31). Kentucky Speedway also “will reinforce lots with gravel and will paint lines for individual spaces to help maximize available space.” The track has hired Veteran’s Security and Patrol Co., which “already runs parking at several tracks, to manage the parking” (SCENEDAILY.com, 8/30).
