Motorists frustrated with railroad crossing barricades

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — On both sides of the railroad tracks on busy Central Avenue, car after car made a U-turn Wednesday to get around the closure.

More anger and frustrations are being directed at CSX Railway.

Seven railway crossings are shut down across Charlotte for repairs.

“Second time today, so pretty frustrated,” driver Bryan Brady said.

Businesses near the closures, such as Moo & Brew, told Channel 9 that sales are down and they want the construction to end.

“As you can see, it’s a little more difficult to get here today,” said Ian Terhune, of Moo & Brew. “It’s hurting businesses. It’s hurting all the commuters.”

On Central Avenue, asphalt has been ripped out, along with a pile of rubble. Eventually, it will be paved over, but with the rain and other weather issues, not a lot of work has been done.

CSX Railway officials declined a phone interview, but acknowledged weather slowed them down Wednesday.

Officials said road closings are clustered in groups of three or four, then a crossing is skipped so drivers have a path around.

Many drivers said a better solution is needed going forward.

“Driving around in circles, you just can’t seem to get anywhere,” driver Mark Vanmarter said.

Just minutes after a train passed on Tuesday, Channel 9 documented the dangerous conditions as drivers ignored barricades when Central Avenue was mistakenly shut down a day early.

CSX officials acknowledged there was a breakdown in communications.

Hundreds of drivers were caught off-guard Tuesday morning and took dangerous risks when a major artery through Plaza Midwood was closed a day early.

A blinking traffic sign read that the closure was to begin Wednesday at Central Avenue and Hawthorne Lane, but Channel 9 reporter Mark Barber found barricades in place Tuesday.

He could see crews already working, and watched as drivers had to turn around because of the barricades.

Barber also watched as driver after driver broke the law, crossing the same tracks where just minutes earlier, a short CSX train had passed over.

Channel 9 eventually called the police to get officers to the crossing because hundreds of motorists were driving around the barricades to cross the tracks illegally.

Barber tried to ask those drivers why they went around the barricades, but most refused to talk. Some said they did not know the road would be closed Tuesday and they were worried about being late for work.

CMPD officials told Channel 9 that the driver of a CMS bus with students on board also illegally crossed the tracks. Channel 9 has asked CMS officials if that driver will be reprimanded or terminated, but has not yet heard back.

Dozens of drivers put their lives in jeopardy while trains were also using the tracks during the morning rush. It could have been a disaster when big box trucks became stuck on the tracks and had to turn around.

Many drivers told Channel 9 they were angry with CSX because they were not warned about the closure. CSX did have one warning sign alerting drivers about the closure, but it posted Wednesday's date, making Tuesday’s shut down a total surprise.

"On the side streets, there is like gridlock and people speeding when they can, or they're gridlocked,” said Krissy Obchslyn. “This is insane. There are no signs anywhere."

Officials from local businesses that Barber spoke with were surprised, saying they did not know the roadway would be closed Tuesday.

Channel 9 asked CSX officials why they didn't have any workers present to keep drivers from hopping across the tracks and they said they are closing the crossing, along with 10 others, to repave them and that their crews can't be everywhere.

CSX officials sent this statement: 

"CSX is performing important maintenance work on the tracks and many of the crossings in and around Charlotte. Crews travel along the tracks replacing crossties as they go and repaving crossings to provide a safe, smooth surface for motorists. This work is scheduled in close coordination with local roadway authorities, but because of a miscommunication, several crossings closed a day earlier than announced. CSX regrets the confusion this caused morning commuters and we’re working to understand how the miscommunication happened. We work hard to provide accurate estimates of when such work is expected to begin, but crews may finish their work ahead of schedule or be delayed by a number of issues, including severe weather or mechanical issues on equipment. We appreciate the public's patience while crews complete this work, which is critical to ensuring the safety of motorists using these crossings and a safe, reliable freight rail network."

More railroad crossings will be closed Wednesday:

Louise Ave:

Courtesy notice from CSX: Louise Avenue between Belmont Avenue and Otts Street will close on Tuesday, February 6 at 7 a.m. and will reopen on Thursday, February 8, at 6 p.m. This closure is necessary for CSX Railroad has scheduled closing this crossing for maintenance. This will necessitate rerouting traffic. Signage will be in place marking detour routes. Normally crossings are closed one to two days but can vary.

N. Davidson St:

Courtesy notice from CSX: North Davidson Street between Linden Lane and East 13th Street will close on Tuesday, February 6, at 7 a.m. and will reopen on Thursday, February 8, at 6 p.m. This closure is necessary for CSX Railroad has scheduled closing this crossing for maintenance. This will necessitate rerouting traffic. Signage will be in place marking detour routes. Normally crossings are closed one to two days but can vary.

N. Brevard St.

Courtesy notice from CSX: North Brevard Street between Alpha Mill Drive and East 13th Street will close on Tuesday, February 6, at 0 a.m. and will reopen on Thursday, February 8, at 0 p.m. This closure is necessary for CSX Railroad has scheduled closing this crossing for maintenance. This will necessitate rerouting traffic. Signage will be in place marking detour routes. Normally crossings are closed one to two days but can vary.

Rozzelles Ferry Rd.

Courtesy notice from CSX: Rozzelles Ferry Road between I-85 and Halsey Street will close on Tuesday, February 6, at 7 a.m. and will reopen on Wednesday, February 7, at 6 p.m. Southbound/Inbound: Hoskins Road, Brookshire Boulevard and Idaho Drive. Northbound/Outbound: Beatties Ford Road, Brookshire Boulevard, and Hoskins Road. This closure is necessary for CSX Railroad has scheduled closing this crossing for maintenance. This will necessitate rerouting traffic. Signage will be in place marking detour routes. Normally crossings are closed one to two days but can vary.

Central Ave.

Courtesy notice from CSX: Central Avenue between Lamar Avenue and Clement Avenue will close on Tuesday, February 6, at 7 a.m. and will reopen on Thursday, February 8, at 6 p.m. This closure is necessary for CSX Railroad has scheduled closing this crossing for maintenance. This will necessitate rerouting traffic. Signage will be in place marking detour routes. Normally crossings are closed one to two days but can vary.

Reno Ave:

Courtesy notice from CSX: Reno Avenue between West Trade Street and Venice Street will close on Tuesday, February 6, at 7 a.m. and will reopen on Wednesday, February 7, at 6 p.m. This closure is necessary for CSX Railroad has scheduled closing this crossing for maintenance. This will necessitate rerouting traffic. Signage will be in place marking detour routes. Normally crossings are closed one to two days but can vary.

N. Sharon Amity

Courtesy notice from CSX: North Sharon Amity Road between Delane Avenue and Montague Street will close on Thursday, February 8, at 7 a.m. and will reopen on Friday, February 9, at 6 p.m. This closure is necessary for CSX Railroad has scheduled closing this crossing for maintenance. This will necessitate rerouting traffic. Signage will be in place marking detour routes. Normally crossings are closed one to two days but can vary.

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