Fletcher Avenue Railroad Construction
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While Pinellas County drivers know all too well now about the hassle of highway work given the recent projects along McMullen Booth and Bryan Dairy Roads, Hillsborough County Drivers have been spared this summer… that is until now. 

It’s frustrating news for the nearly 60,000 drivers who use Fletcher Avenue each day – CSX railroad officials will be shutting it down beginning Thursday morning to make repairs on the Nebraska Avenue railroad crossing.  I spoke with Steve Valdez, Hillsborough County’s Communications Manager, about the upcoming work:
        “What we have here is a railroad track that spans the whole roadway that literally is jumping up and down as cars go over it,
        and it has become an unsafe condition.”

As a result of these safety concerns, crews will begin a 1 month project that will close Fletcher Avenue just east of Nebraska Avenue in order to replace the crossing and raise the railbed. Motorists should plan for extensive delays in the area and choose an alternate route if possible including Bearss Avenue to the north and 131st and Fowler Avenue to the south. 

County officials do note the hassle of this closure and promise to work as quickly as possible.  Offficials typically try to schedule major construction projects during the summer to avoid the extra traffic from the school year and tourist season.  And although the Fletcher project is scheduled to wrap up August 19th, one day before the start of classes for Hillsborough county students, Steve wants to ease the worries of many parents and students:
        “This roadway will be opened up by August 20th, the first day of school.  Whatever it takes it will be open.”

For more information on the Fletcher Avenue railroad construction, call Hillsborough County’s telephone hotline at (813) 635 – 5400.