SPARTA, KY (WDRB) -- The thrilling sights and sounds of a NASCAR Quaker State 400 is something to behold. But last year many fans only saw red brake lights as they sat in what turned into a parking lot on Interstate 71. Many missed the race altogether.

Kentucky Speedway officials raced to create a new traffic plan that included purchasing 170 acres for a new parking lot. But the crucial piece swung, albeit slowly, into place Tuesday morning. "Once the tunnel is set it will look like a tunnel but there is a lot of work still yet to do," says Steve Swift.

He came on board from Speedway Motor Sports to oversee the construction of the $10 million project. The tunnel will actually go under Kentucky 35, connecting the new parking lot to the race track. "It was a big safety concern with all the parking across the street," says Swift. "The tunnel was a key element to make sure we kept the safety of the fans and actually gave them access so they didn't have to cross 35 to a facility."

Swift says work on the tunnel is grueling, especially in the cold rain. "It is a factor," says the construction manager. "It slows them down a little bit. But with the pieces and the time frame they have, they've got to continue to work regardless of what the circumstances."

Swift says crews will meet the March 25th deadline, helped in part by a mild winter. The tunnel will take several days to complete as cranes lift 25 concrete sections.  "Basically they set the sections in place and the sections are wound tight with cable system which actually pulls them tight together," explains Swift.

Eight industrial strength bolts will keep hold the sections together. The tunnel is part of the state's $4 million commitment to the new traffic plan that includes widening of KY 35 to five lanes.

"So there is going to be a lot more room," says Kentucky Transportation Cabinet spokeswoman Nancy Wood. "A lot more capacity to move people to the new parking."

Wood didn't have an exact price for the cost of the tunnel but says its benefit, if only used one weekend, outweighs any price. "They're trying to get more races, there's other races that happen here as well. It's a growing area," says the 6th District spokeswoman. "And we're trying to grow along with it and keep up with it."

The Speedway also plans to build a pedestrian and tram bridge to connect the parking lot to the grandstand.

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