Railroad work closes Route 417 in Addison
ADDISON, N.Y. -- The Addison railroad crossing looked a little unfamiliar Saturday to Lois Knickerbocker.
"I didn't know where to go so they kind of escorted me over the tracks," Knickerbocker said.
The tracks and their surroundings are being worked on for the next few days. And while Knickerbocker can still walk over them, people who drive have to take a detour. A long one.
"You go about two to three miles up on the hill, by CB Jamboree. And then they've got you cutting down over the hill over into Lindley-Presho. And from Lindley-Presho, you've got to hit 15, and 15 will take you out down through," said Gary Atwell.
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Neighbors say that 15-mile detour may get a little tricky, especially come Monday.
"Day care's on this side of the road and I come down there (on the other side). So I'm going to have to meet someone here first thing in the morning to exchange kids," said Melissa Risley.
"It's a little hard getting back and forth to work and stuff, for the people on this side," Atwell said.
Railroad officials say they've received a lot of complaints about this crossing but haven't wanted to close it. Now that they have, they say they can make repairs that will last for years. And neighbors say it's worth it.
"I think it's going to be great when it's done," Knickerbocker said.
"It's a win-win situation for not only village residents but for everybody who uses this main throughway, Route 417, through the village of Addison," said Mayor Ray Walch.
Everyone admits there will be inconveniences until the Addison railroad crossing work is done. But as Knickerbocker reminds us,
"You have to have inconveniences to make things better," she said.
Work on the Addison railroad crossing is expected to be completed Tuesday.