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© St. Petersburg Times, published July 16, 2002
TAMPA -- Message to frustrated Waters Avenue commuters: If you can, find another route to work for the next few weeks.
Monday, workers began uprooting the railroad crossing on Waters just east of Anderson Road. The railroad ties are being raised 7 inches to help runoff during heavy rains. Water that settles on the tracks can erode the asphalt base.
The work means traffic backups, especially during traditional rush hours.
Monday wasn't a good day for Tammy Demoret, general manager of the Perkins restaurant at Anderson and Waters. It took her 25 minutes to travel about a quarter mile in traffic that was backed up for about a quarter of a mile.
Demoret had a grim outlook for her business during the next few weeks.
"Nobody's going to stop to eat if they're late for work," she said.
CSX workers are replacing the tracks, while Hillsborough County workers are ripping up the road and sidewalks, sloping them upward on both sides on the crossing, said Steve Valdez, county community relations director.
Valdez said the project, rain permitting, could take a monthto complete.
"The weather has got to cooperate a little," he said.
Officials urge motorists to stay as far from Waters as possible to avoid heavy traffic. Detours are set up along Sligh and Linebaugh avenues. Valdez suggested going as far south as Hillsborough Avenue to avoid backups.
He said commuters traveling between 7 and 8 a.m. should leave at least a half-hour earlier than usual.
Regardless of the weather, the work will be completed by the time schools reopen Aug. 7, Valdez said, even if it means working late hours and on weekends.