St. Augustine – State Road 16, just west of the U.S. 1 intersection, in St. Augustine is scheduled to close  July 18-20 to replace the railroad crossing. All traffic will be detoured to U.S. 1 and Lewis Speedway Road. Bicyclists and pedestrians will also not be allowed to cross the railroad tracks.

The road closes Saturday, July 18 at 6 a.m. and is scheduled to reopen late Monday night, July 20, by midnight. The reopening may change due to rain or other unforeseen conditions.

Drivers traveling east on State Road 16 will be detoured to Lewis Speedway Road north to U.S. 1 and then back south to State Road 16. Westbound motorists will be detoured to U.S. 1 and then west on Lewis Speedway Road back to State Road 16. The northbound left turn lane on U.S. 1 to State Road 16 westbound will also be closed. Access to the Walgreens and CVS will be maintained from U.S. 1. Detour signs will be posted on the 5-mile long detour route and law enforcement officers will assist with the road closure and detour.

Florida East Coast Railway is replacing the existing concrete crossing due to wear and tear from heavy use. It was last replaced in 2007. Once the new crossing is in place, crews with Gonzalez and Sons will resurface the roadway approaches, extend the curb in the median past the crossing gates and repair the sidewalk if required.

Motorists may want to use State Road 207 as an optional alternate route between I-95 and U.S. 1.

An average of 24,000 vehicles a day travel this section of State Road 16 just west of U.S. 1.

The road can be reopened early if the work is completed ahead of schedule. A toll-free number — 888-558-1518 — will provide the latest updates on the reopening.

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