CSX Railroad closes crossings, confusing drivers

CSX Railroad closed three railroad crossings in Wake Forest – Brick Street, Elm Avenue, Holding Avenue and Friendship Chapel – Tuesday morning, January 28, and
later closed Rogers Road the same day. Friendship Chapel Road was closed on Wednesday morning.
The result was baffled drivers looking for ways to cross the rail line. The Town of Wake Forest had tried to prepare residents, but those who did not receive messages from the town or have a means of local news were left blaming the town, as were those who travel to or through Wake Forest from elsewhere.
The Town of Wake Forest provided maps and alternatives on its website, www.wakeforestnc.gov, by clicking on “csx-track-repairs” on the first page under Common Resources. The alternatives include the Underpass, using the NC 98 Bypass and South Franklin Street, and, from the east, using Traditions Grande Avenue and Wait Avenue.
The long lines, the frustration will continue through Thursday when a new set of drivers will be faced with the closing of the Ligon Mill Road crossing.
Those five crossings will undergo repairs and should reopen Thursday, at which time the Ligon Mill Road crossing will be closed for repair.
Railroad crews will replace railroad ties at each crossing, then resurface the road. The crossings will be closed for one to three days pending weather, equipment, and any unforeseen circumstances.
The number of closings was necessary because the repair train is about two miles long. Necessary supplies, including new wooden ties and portable toilets were placed at the closed crossings about a week in advance. Friendship Chapel Road traffic will not be affected – the road is currently deadended – but traffic to and from the town’s Operations Center and Friendship Chapel Baptist Church will be temporarily shunted into Holding Village and Franklin Avenue.
In addition, the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is reminding residents that railroad property is private property. Anyone on railroad property without railroad permission is trespassing. To report a problem or emergency, look for the blue Emergency Notification Sign located at the crossing and call the emergency phone number listed on the sign. If you cannot locate the blue sign, dial 911.
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