By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

MT. AIRY — Canadian National Railroad officials said the planned re-location of a road in Mt. Airy will improve traffic flow in the area.

The project will include removal of the existing railroad crossing at Daffodil Street, installation of a cul-de-sac on the north side of the railroad crossing and construction of a roadway connecting Daffodil Street and Marquez Street on the south side of the railroad track.

The majority of the construction will take place on the south side of the railroad track between Daffodil and Marquez Street.

CN officials said the new road will be a re-route of a road that goes through a future, extended rail siding, a location where trains frequently stop. This project, funded by CN, eliminates the road through that rail siding.

The project began Sept. 17, and CN officials said it is expected to last about 30 days, with the existing road crossing being removed at the end of October. It will remain open until then.  

Residents will have access to their homes, and road closures are not expected throughout the duration of the project; however, flagmen will be on site as a precaution. Construction crews will work from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Once the railroad crossing is removed, residents on the north side of Daffodil Street will access Highway 54 via Oak Tree Drive and residents on the south side of Daffodil Street will access Highway 54 via River Road.