Mebane warns of rolling rail crossing closures starting Aug. 31

City of Mebane staff announced that Norfolk Southern will close several railroad crossings in Mebane beginning Monday, Aug. 31, as part of scheduled rail replacement work. "Starting Monday, August 31 at 7AM, Norfolk Southern crews will close the 5th Street and 4th Street railroad crossings to begin rail replacement work," the city message said.

The notice said Norfolk Southern made "slower than anticipated progress" earlier in the week but completed work at three crossings: Redmond Road, Buckhorn Road and Mattress Factory Road. City staff set a tentative goal for crews to finish remaining work in Mebane by Thursday, Sept. 4, but warned that if crews do not reach Moore Road and Gibson Road by the end of that week, work would continue the following week beginning Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Officials described the work as "rolling construction," meaning crossings will close at different times rather than simultaneously. "Closures are expected to last 2 to 5 days at each crossing," the announcement said, and added that some crossings may remain closed after crews finish while newly installed asphalt settles and cures.

The city urged motorists to "plan accordingly, follow posted detours, and allow additional travel time." Norfolk Southern will provide daily updates on which crossings are closed and which are open; the city directed residents to the North Carolina Railroad Company's project website for those updates. The notice framed the effort as part of the Carolinian and Piedmont Passenger and Freight Improvements Project, a statewide rail investment.

City staff closed by reminding residents that schedules may change due to weather, construction progress and rail operations and encouraged following the City of Mebane's website and social channels for the latest information.