RAPID CITY, S.D. — Rapid City, Pierre & Eastern Railroad (RCP&E) officials notified City officials of plans to unload a unit train of pre-welded rail strings at several track crossings on Rapid City streets, requiring short-term closures at several railroad crossings.
The unloading is scheduled for Wednesday (May 14) and will involve approximately 30-minute closures to thru traffic at New York Street, Milwaukee Street, North Lacrosse Street, East North Street and North Creek Drive crossings, as well as the longest closure of approximately one hour at the Omaha Street crossings near Fifth Street.
Here is the tentative schedule for road closures at the respective crossings. The schedule and timing are subject to change by RCP&E with updates scheduled for Monday.
- Omaha Street – Blocking this crossing at around 5 a.m. Wednesday for approximately one hour.
- New York Street – Will be blocked starting at 5:30 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes. RCP&E officials indicate Omaha Street and New York Street would be blocked at the same time for approximately 30 minutes.
- Milwaukee Street – Will be blocked starting 5:50 a.m. for approximately 30 minutes. RCP&E officials estimate New York Street and Milwaukee Street will be blocked the same time for approximately 20 minutes.
- N Lacrosse Street – Will be blocked starting at 6 a.m. a.m. for approximately 30 minutes. RCP&E officials estimate Milwaukee Street and Lacrosse Street will be blocked at the same time for approximately 20 minutes.
- E North St – Officials estimate this area will be blocked starting at about 6:30 a.m. This will also be blocked for approximately 30 minutes and N. Creek Drive will also be blocked at the same time.
Rapid City police will be assisting with traffic control at the various crossing sites during the work periods. Crews with the City’s streets and traffic divisions will be assisting with signage and other traffic-control measures to alert drivers of the short-term closures. Drivers will need to take alternate routes during the short-term disruptions in traffic flow.
The rail, which will be securely staged along RCP&E railroad property near these crossings, will be used later this year as part of a major upgrade project along 80 miles of RCP&E, part of which includes upgrading three track miles in the Rapid City area.
