Traffic tie-ups expected in Lutz because of rail improvement project

LUTZ, Fla. (WFLA) – Starting Monday, March 14, US 41 will be closed at the railroad crossing north of Crenshaw Lake Road in Lutz. The closure will allow crews to replace the rails and railroad crossing.

Motorists will be detoured around the work zone using Florida Avenue, Bearss Avenue and Dale Mabry Highway.

US 41 is expected to be closed for approximately two weeks, depending on weather.

The closure has residents who live in the area worried. David Clark is not happy.

“If they close this down, it’s a six-lane highway, a six-lane highway closed when the next largest road to the east is two lanes,” Clark said.

He said commuters will take the two-lane side roads, tying up traffic in residential areas. He’s also concerned about the children who play along those streets.

“That impact with that traffic, on those roads, there’s kids, the vehicles, safety, police all those, the delay in time is going to hurt someone,” Clark said.

Motorists should anticipate heavier than normal traffic on all of these roads during the closures. Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman Cris Carson said the work has to be done.

“We know this is a heavily traveled corridor, so we’re asking them as much as possible to try and get it done sooner. (We) just don’t know if that can happen yet,” Carson saiid. “So we’re hoping for good weather and hoping they can get it done in two weeks.”