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Railroad reconstruction delays to start Friday

Traffic on State Road 52 will be limited to one lane for work expected to be finished by Tuesday.

By JODIE TILLMAN
Published October 18, 2006

GOWERS CORNER - Get ready to wait in line if you're driving State Road 52.

Starting Friday at 6 p.m., the railroad crossing west of U.S. 41 will be closed for reconstruction work.

One lane of traffic at a time will be routed around the crossing, led by a construction vehicle that acts as a pace car.

The work is expected to be finished by Tuesday.

Authorities are encouraging motorists to take alternate routes if possible.

But there is a reason the Department of Transportation also decided to keep one lane of traffic open.

"There's really no good detour route," said DOT spokeswoman Kris Carson.

CSX is upgrading the railroad crossing, while DOT has hired a contractor to do the paving work that comes up to the bed, according to Carson.

Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Larry Coggins said people should take advantage of the early notice of the work.

"There's going to be no excuse not to plan early," he said.

Pasco County School District buses that travel that part of State Road 52 will proceed as normal on Monday and Tuesday, said transportation director Mike Parker.

"It's not like it's going to be a permanent thing," he said. "We'll just be patient and wait like everybody else."

[Last modified October 17, 2006, 22:45:55]