By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The CSX railroad company has updated its plans to close two high-traffic railroad crossings in Pelham, and now will only close the crossings on Sunday, Nov. 24.

“Pending no problems,” the company is planning to replace crossties and perform other maintenance work on the singe-track crossing near the intersection of Shelby County 52 and Lee Street and the crossing on Stonehaven Trail on Nov. 24, said Pelham Executive Administrative Assistant Paula Holly.

The closings are scheduled to begin at 6 a.m. and could last as late as midnight, Holly said.

On Nov. 18, CSX originally announced plans to close the two crossings on Nov. 21-22, but changed the closing date to Nov. 24 after fielding concerns about workday traffic issues.

“The city (of Pelham) is working with the city of Helena to provide police, medical and fire protection to all residents affected by this closure,” Holly wrote in a Nov. 18 email. “If you have any questions, please contact CSX at 1-800-232-0144.”

During a Nov. 18 Pelham City Council meeting, Mayor Gary Waters said Pelham, Alabaster and Helena have agreements in place to provide emergency response services to all residents in the city while the pair of Pelham railroad crossings are closed.

CSX also is planning to close a railroad crossing on Shelby County 261 in Old Town Helena from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, according to the Helena Police Department.

While the Helena crossing is closed on Nov. 23, all Shelby County 261 traffic in Helena will be diverted onto Shelby County 52 east toward Pelham.

“If you are traveling into the city of Helena from the Pelham side of Highway 261, please use Highway 105 / Lee Street as an alternate route,” read a Helena Police Department press release. “You will still have access to the businesses in Old Town during these times. We will have officers directing traffic on both sides if the tracks to assist you with directions if needed.”