CHAPIN, S.C. — Several railroad crossings in Chapin will be closed for the next few days as CSX replaces crossties and repaves asphalt in that area of Lexington County.
Now that railroad repairs have begun, the traffic congestion is streaming through town.
"It was way backed up way farther than it usually was," Elizabeth Carpenter said.
Carpenter said she commutes to Chapin from Camden every day for work.
"It probably added 15 minutes this morning," Chapin resident Holly Hayes said.
Carpenter and Hayes said they work right next to the railroad tracks at Clark Street and Chapin Road, one of the locations detoured for several hours Thursday until about noon.
Chapin Police Chief Thomas Griffin said the railroad closures were in Ballentine and Irmo before they came to Chapin. He said CSX asked officers a few weeks ago to help direct traffic flow.
"The past couple days, they did start hitting roads within the town of Chapin," Griffin said. "The first one that they hit was East Boundary Street at Murray Lindler Road. That one was closed approximately two days ago. Weisz Street and East Boundary Road at Chapin Road - that was closed at the same time, and then this morning at 5:30, they closed Lexington Avenue."
He said the detours at Clark Street and Columbia Avenue at Amicks Ferry Road are open again while other crossings are closed.
Both locals and law enforcement said they're excited for the result of this work.
"I understand it's an inconvenience, but I'm willing to deal with the inconvenience 'cause, long term, trains are better for the environment," Carpenter said.
"I have seen them in disrepair for a long time," Hayes said. "I think most people drive over them, but I actually walk over them a lot, so I'm looking forward to them getting strengthened - and anything for safety is good in my book."
Chief Griffin said these railroad repairs by CSX should be finished before the weekend.
After Chapin, Griffin said CSX will move on to Sam Koon Road in Newberry County for more railroad repairs.
Griffin shared the following road closures in a press release from the Chapin Police Department:
Railroad crossings closed
- Murray Lindler Road/East Boundary Street at Chapin Road
- Weisz Street/East Boundary Street at Chapin Road
- Lexington Ave at Chapin Road
- Courtland Road
Railroad crossings open
- Columbia Avenue/Amick's Ferry Road at Chapin Road
- Clark Street at Chapin Road
- Crooked Creek Road at Chapin Road
- Sid Bickley Road at Chapin Road
- Old Hilton Road at Chapin Road
- Three Dog Road at Dutch Fork Road
- Mt. Vernon Church Road at Dutch Fork Road
Griffin said locals should continue to check the Chapin Police Department's Facebook page for updates.
