Crossing work scheduled as extra track delayed again; street closing schedule changed twice

When new ties and tracks began appearing in the railroad right of way last week, Midway residents may have thought that the long-discussed project to add a track through town was about to begin. It is not.

R.J. Corman Railroad is about to replace crossings on the existing track, not lay the new one. Construction of the second track has been delayed until January 2012 because Corman crews "have been sent out west to repair tracks that were damaged by the recent wildfires," Mayor Tom Bozarth said in his column in tonight's edition of The Woodford Sun.

Bozarth also announced a closing schedule for intersections during the crossing-repair project, based on information from Corman that later changed. Then it changed again, after Bozarth raised concerns about Turner and Gratz streets getting work at the same time. Here is the closing schedule as it now stands, according to a release from the Transportation Cabinet:
Turner at Main: Sunday, July 17 through Tuesday, July 19
Gratz at Main and Dudley: Tuesday, July 19 through Thursday, July 21
Winter at Main: Monday, July 25 through Wednesday, July 27
Also, the crossing at Paynes Depot Road will be out July 27-29.

"Each closure is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. and remain closed until 8 p.m. on the date of completion," the release says. "Appropriate signage will be in place to alert and guide the traveling public. All scheduled work is subject to change depending on weather, emergencies and other factors beyond the control of the Department of Highways. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet asks motorists to be aware of the work zone and to utilize safe driving habits when traveling near the work area."