The work week is starting off with a big headache for downtown Tampa drivers.
Starting today, a portion of Ashley Drive will be closed for three weeks while crews repair CSX tracks. Crews will replace the tracks along Polk Street. The closure is from Cass Street to Madison Street.
The repair work will be an inconvenience for drivers, as well as downtown businesses.
Five Guys Burgers is located on Ashley, directly across from Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. The manager there says the road closure will have a huge impact on business.
"It's gonna be awful,'' Matthew McAlister said. "I know they are going to be doing some detours and everything like that. They're going divert traffic, but there are only so many ways you can go down here with the one-ways, so I think it's going to be pretty backed up.
"As far as our business goes, there are only two access (roads) to our restaurant between Zack Street and Ashley, so we're going to be pretty much be blocked off from the world.''
CSX officials and the city of Tampa are advising drivers to use the detours that are in place.
Southbound traffic will be detoured to Tampa Street using Cass Street. Northbound traffic will be detoured to Florida Avenue using Madison Street.
The City of Tampa recommends that motorists use following streets to access I-275 and State Road 60-Kennedy Boulevard during the closure:
- I-275 Downtown East exit (Orange Avenue and Jefferson/Pierce Street) to access downtown.
- Howard Avenue or Florida Avenue to access I-275
- Will Avenue to Cass Street to access Ashley Drive north of Polk Street
- Tampa Street from I-275 Downtown West exit to access downtown