Multiple CSX Railroad Upgrades to Slow Auburndale Area Traffic
Bartow, Fla. (February 11, 2019) — Scheduled track upgrades by CSX Transportation will slow traffic in and around Auburndale through the rest of the month as railroad crossings at 10 locations will close in a staggered sequence starting tonight. Upgrades at the Dairy Road (Five-Points area), Bennett Street, and Main Street crossings in Auburndale should be underway this evening around 7:00 p.m., while similar work should close CSX crossings at Tampa Street and Ariana Street tomorrow night. Wednesday night closings are scheduled for West Bridgers Avenue and McKean Street. Seven more crossings are scheduled for closures over the next two weeks as the upgrades move westerly to Combee area crossings. CSX’s contractor has notified Polk County that some crossings in the same vicinity will be closed simultaneously, while others will close in order as work progresses along the rail lines. Work at each crossing is anticipated to take two to four days to complete. While much of the work will be done at night, asphalt resurfacing of roadway approaches will be performed during daylight hours. Access limitations and travel delays are anticipated as through traffic will be detoured to bypass work zones.
The Polk County Board of County Commissioners and County Manager’s Office regret the late public notice and the disruption motorists can expect from another round of overlapping closures by CSX with little warning and no county input. However, due to longstanding statutory entitlements, CSX has precedence and considerable authority to close road crossings along their railway lines. Commuters are encouraged to remain patient, be cautious and to add time to their trips through these areas. Polk County recognizes these repairs are necessary and will make for better and safer driving conditions when completed.
Anyone wanting to report a public road rail crossing issue or complaint should call CSX at 1-800-232-0144 or email them at [email protected].
