Drivers and Businesses Dread Highway 21 Closure

State Route 21 generally stays busy, but improvements to a railroad crossing in Garden City could throw a monkey wrench in many drivers' plans.

The area between Groves High School and the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Plaza will be closed to through traffic for a week.

Charlie Carter takes Highway 21 from Rincon to Savannah every day for work.

"I'd noticed the signs coming up, but I didn't really know what was happening. I just saw 'At railroad crossing', until I came home this afternoon and saw where it was going to be closed," says Carter.

He says this will add at least 30 minutes to his drive.

"I'll probably end up going off I-95 connecting with I-16 and bypassing this section altogether... The traffic is going to be horrendous, because everybody's going to either route back through I-16 or around over SR 25 that way, so it's going to be twice as bad," says Carter.

Groves High naturally adds to the amount of traffic in the area, not to mention all the businesses on either side of the road.

The Red Chimney BBQ sits on Highway 21 just across from Groves High School. The owner says the beginning of the workweek is the busiest time for Highway 21, so he believes drivers should expect a lot of headaches come next week.

Allen Jones is manager at Domino's Pizza on Highway 21. He says his delivery drivers will probably have to find some alternate routes.

"It's not really going to hold us up too much. It'll slow us down a little bit, but we're still going to be rolling as normal and get to everybody as quick as we possibly can," he says.

But still get the pizzas out in time. "Give us a call and we'll get to you in 30 minutes or less, or try our best to anyway," laughs Jones.

Some say the disruption will cost them more than just time.

"Extra gas, more money, just wasting it," says Ronnie Baker.

The following was released by the Georgia Department of Transportation

Garden City and Chatham County
GEORGIA DOT CLOSES STATE ROUTE 21 FOR RAILROAD CROSSING IMPROVEMENTS, MARCH 2, thru MARCH 7, 2009

WHAT: The Georgia Department of Transportation in partnership with CSX Transportation, Georgia Ports Authority; and the cities of Garden City, Port Wentworth, Pooler, Rincon, Savannah, and Chatham and Effingham Counties announce SR 21 will be closed for railroad grade crossing improvements.

WHEN: Work will begin 9 a.m., Monday, March 2 thru Saturday, March 7, 2009.

WHERE: SR 21 at mile post 7.99 west of SR 21, east of Grove High School. Detour routes on SR 21 are:
Northbound
I-516/SR 21 traffic traveling northbound through Garden City will be directed to exit 7A at Augusta Ave. Traffic will detour west on SR 26 for approximately 4.5 miles to SR 307 north and continue traveling 3.5 miles north to SR 21.

Southbound
SR 21 traffic traveling southbound on through Garden City will detour at SR 307. Traffic will travel south for approx. 3.5 miles to SR 26 then east for approximately 4 miles to Burnsed Ave. loop to SR 21.

All through traffic will be rerouted and detours will be in place north and south on SR 21. Merchants, schools and customers will be able to access businesses and destinations up to the closure. Motorists can expect delays; congestion and heavy traffic at times, and are advised to use extra caution.

Georgia DOT endeavors to work with the community and minimize traffic delays caused by construction. We appreciate your cooperation.

Georgia DOT urges travelers to call 511 for updated information about this or any other construction project on interstates and state routes. Georgia 511 is a free phone service that provides real-time traffic and travel information statewide, such as traffic conditions, incidents, lane closures, and delays due to inclement weather. Callers also can transfer to operators to request assistance or report incidents 24 hours a day, seven days a week. More information is available at www.511ga.org.

The Georgia Department of Transportation is committed to providing a safe, seamless and sustainable transportation system that supports Georgia’s economy and is sensitive to both its citizens and its environment. For general information on the Georgia DOT, please visit our Website (www.dot.ga.gov).

Hwy 21 will only be closed to THRU traffic at the railroad crossing between Groves High School and the US Post Office/Piggly Wiggly Shopping Plaza. All other access to Hwy 21 will remain open. GDOT is advising all THRU traffic to detour using Augusta Avenue (better known as Hwy 80 or SR 26) to SR 307 (better known as Dean Forest Rd.)