Unexpected Railroad Repairs Cause Traffic Delays In South Tampa

TAMPA, FL — After she said she was inundated with emails and phone calls from South Tampa drivers, state Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, sent a scathing letter to CSX Railroad officials.

Drivers were stranded in massive traffic jams Wednesday when CSX abruptly closed more than a dozen roads to make railroad crossing repairs.

"It is my understanding that proper notice and due diligence was not exhibited prior to the closure of these vital thoroughfares," said Toledo in her letter to CSX. "This is unacceptable, and it is apparent that a maintenance of traffic plan was not laid out and communicated to those impacted, which shows a complete disregard to the neighborhoods."

Toledo, who lives in South Tampa, urged CSX to communicate better with the city, try to schedule repairs overnight instead of during peak hours, and provide at least 30 days notice before closing roads.

Even members of the Tampa City Council were caught off guard by the road closures.

“It was horrific," said Councilman Bill Carlson who was among those stuck in traffic. He said he was two hours late picking up his child.

At the regular city council meeting Thursday, members questioned Jean Duncan, administrator of infrastructure and mobility for the city, about the communications flub. Duncan vowed to investigate and report back to the council.

CSX said it notified the city's public works department about the road closures in emails dated Jan. 28 and Feb. 3. City staff told railroad officials that the company needed to file for permits before closing roads.

Council members were conflicted about who was to blame.

Councilman John Dingfelder said city staff members probably thought someone else was handling the matter when, in fact, no one was handling it.

"At the end of the day, I don’t think anybody reached out to CSX on Jan. 28 like they should have and said, 'Wow, this is problematic,'" said Dingfelder.“It’s better to say something but, in this case, nobody did, and we ended up with quite the mess.”

Councilman Joseph Citro said it was CSX's responsibility to follow up with city staff.

“This could have been very easily handled if CSX had given better notice,” Citro said.

CSX issued a statement apologizing for the delays caused by the repairs but stopped short of taking responsibility, saying the railroad "closely coordinated the closures with the city."

"CSX apologizes to residents who may be impacted by this, and we appreciate the public's patience while we complete this important work, which is critical to ensuring the safety of motorists using these crossings and to maintaining a safe, reliable freight rail network," said CSX in its statement.

Regardless of who is at fault, council members said the public works department needs to improve communications with the public. The council unanimously passed a motion requesting that the mayor hire a staff person dedicated to communicating with the public regarding road closures.

The following streets are now open:

• W Euclid Avenue between S Gunlock Avenue and S Lynwood Avenue
• W El Prado Boulevard between S Concordia Avenue and W Drexel Avenue
• W Bay to Bay Blvd between S MacDill Avenue and S Ysabella Avenue
• N 20th Street between E 7th Avenue and E 5th Avenue
• W Iowa Avenue S Manhattan Avenue and S Coolidge Avenue
• W Prescott Street between S West Shore Boulevard and Fitzgerald Street
• W McCoy Street between S West Shore Boulevard and S Trask Street
• W Pearl Avenue between S Lois Avenue and S Clark Avenue
• W Swann Avenue between S Fremont Avenue and W Packwood Avenue
• W Cleveland Street from S Willow Avenue to S Dakota Avenue
• W Platt Street from S Dakota Avenue to S Willow Avenue
• N 18th Street between E 7th Avenue and E 5th Avenue
• N Nebraska Avenue between E Cass Street and E Twiggs
• N 19th Street between E 7th Avenue and E 5th Avenue
• N 26th Street between E 7th Avenue and E 5th Avenue

The following streets are expected to reopen by midnight tonight, February 28.

• W Mississippi Avenue between S Georgia Avenue and S Carolina Avenue
• W Watrous Avenue between S Moody Avenue and S Howard Avenue
• W Morrison Avenue between S Howard Avenue and S Albany Avenue
• W Oklahoma Avenue between S Manhattan Avenue and S Lois Avenue

Drivers and pedestrians alike are advised to allow for extra travel time and travel through the area with caution. Barricades and signs will be located to assist with traffic flow.