State Department of Transportation Returns to the Great New York State Fair to Show the Public How NYSDOT Keeps New York Moving

State Department of Transportation Returns to the Great New York State Fair to Show the Public How NYSDOT Keeps New York Moving

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez today announced that NYSDOT is once again returning to the Great New York State Fair to showcase the many ways it serves New Yorkers every day. Taking up a dedicated wing in the Science and Industry Building, the Department will offer immersive exhibits to give fairgoers an opportunity to experience NYSDOT's work firsthand. The Great New York State Fair takes place this year in Syracuse from Wednesday, August 26 through Labor Day, Monday, September 7.

"The Great New York State Fair is one of the largest attractions in all of New York State and a proud summer tradition that brings people together from across the globe," said Commissioner Dominguez. "NYSDOT's interactive exhibits will once again provide fairgoers with a hands-on look at the equipment and technology we use to deliver the transportation network New York State needs to grow our economy and keep our state affordable and safe for everyone. It is also a great opportunity to share information about important transportation initiatives like the I-81 Viaduct Project, and we look forward to engaging with fairgoers, hearing their feedback and their answering questions."

Among this year's exhibits are:

1. Virtual Reality Tour of the I-81 Viaduct Project: The I-81 Viaduct Project's Outreach Center, permanently located at the Hills Building at 217 Montgomery Street in downtown Syracuse, will once again be relocated to the Science and Industry Building for the duration of the NYS Fair. The Outreach Center at Tucker Missionary Baptist Church at 515 Oakwood Avenue in Syracuse will remain open during the Fair, welcoming visitors from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Members of the I-81 Viaduct Project team will be at the Science and Industry Building to answer questions from the public about the single largest project in NYSDOT history. New this year is a Virtual Reality tour of this transformative project, showing construction from start to finish in Syracuse's southern interchange. Available each day at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., fairgoers can put on a headset for an immersive experience, in a fully interactive environment, to learn how this project is reimagining Syracuse.
2. Empathetic Intersections: Learn more about how NYSDOT is designing intersections to be safer and easier to access for pedestrians of all ability levels. Experience first-hand how the Department's Office of Traffic Safety and Mobility incorporates accessibility features to provide a safer environment at intersections for people of all abilities. Visitors will be able to put on different sets of goggles with a cane that simulate low or zero vision conditions to better understand why accessibility in our projects is so important. A wheelchair ramp will help fairgoers learn more about wheelchair accessibilities at intersections. Detective warning surfaces seen at intersections will be on display showing fairgoers how visually impaired individuals utilize these tools for safe crossings. A traffic signal will also be on display demonstrating the sights and sounds that are accessible for users of the state highway system.
3. Highway Maintenance: A large NYSDOT dump truck will be onsite for kids to get behind the wheel to give them an idea of the kinds of equipment utilized by NYSDOT maintenance crews. (No, they won't be allowed to drive it!)
4. Recruitment: The Department of Transportation is always in the market for dedicated people to join our team. Come meet NYSDOT staff to learn more about one of the most elite transportation departments in the nation.
5. Work Zone Safety: The lighted fallen employee tribute will return for another year. The Department also encourages fairgoers to visit the permanent Highway Workers Memorial, located near the midway entrance and west of the Horticulture Building on the fairgrounds. The memorial honors all transportation workers killed while performing their job duties on or near New York's thousands of miles of highways, including State Department of Transportation and Thruway Authority employees, municipal highway workers, contractors, consultants and towing service employees.

In 2024, NYSDOT consolidated all of its exhibits into the Science and Industry Building to better showcase the Department, its mission and its people, and the many ways the agency works to enhance safety for all New Yorkers. Fairgoers are encouraged to visit NYSDOT's interactive exhibits at the Great New York State Fair to learn more about the Department's work and the many career opportunities available in transportation. For more information about NYSDOT and career opportunities, visit https://www.dot.ny.gov.

For more information about The Great New York State Fair, including purchasing admission tickets and parking passes, please visit their website.

See you at the Fair!

About the Department of Transportation
It is the mission of the New York State Department of Transportation to provide a safe, reliable, equitable, and resilient transportation system that connects communities, enhances quality of life, protects the environment, and supports the economic well-being of New York State.

Lives are on the line; slow down and move over for highway workers!

For more information, find us on Facebook, follow us on X or Instagram, or visit our website. For up-to-date travel information, call 511, visit www.511NY.org or download the free 511NY mobile app.

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