The project to install new ornamental fencing along the 17th, Liberty and Chew streets perimeters of the Allentown Fairgrounds is necessitating temporary gate closings, which began June 11.

To maintain access into the 46-acre Fairgrounds that is home to the Agri-Plex expo center, Ritz Barbecue restaurant, Fairgrounds Farmers Market, MainGate Night club and Pines Dinner Theatre, the closings will be staggered.

Starting June 11, Gate 2 at Chew and St. Cloud streets on the east end of the grounds near Lehigh Valley Hospital and Gate 6 at Liberty and Lafayette streets on the west end of the grounds near the Wells Fargo drive-through bank were to be closed for at least two weeks.

Vehicles may enter Gate 8 at Liberty and St. Cloud streets on the east end of the grounds near The Fairgrounds Hotel and Gate 3 at Chew and Lafayette streets on the west end of the grounds near the Phoebe Ministries complex.

When the work on Gates 2 and 6 concludes, work will begin on Gates 3 and 8, closing them for approximately two weeks.

This portion of the project includes the installation of pillars to complement the black ornamental fence that has been going up to replace Fairgrounds' former chainlink fence.

The new Allentown Fairgrounds fence is the second phase of the city's revitalization project for the West End Theater District. Phase one involved streetscape work to two blocks of 19th Street south of Tilghman Street that leads to the Fairgrounds. It included decorative lamppost streetlights, brickwork sidewalks, planters and other sprucing up to highlight the art deco architecture in the district.

The fence project is on a fast pace to be ready for The 2014 Great Allentown Fair running Aug. 26 - Sept. 1.