CSX Track Maintenance to Close Crossings in Allendale County

CSX Transportation will carry out a four-week track maintenance program beginning Jan. 12 and expected to run through Feb. 6, 2026, that will affect crossings in Aiken and Allendale counties. The company plans to resurface crossings and complete related repairs; individual crossings will be closed for short windows, generally two to five days, while crews are working. Closures will not be continuous across the entire four-week period.

No traffic will be allowed across crossings while crews are working, and CSX has said it will provide daily, real-time updates through an interactive map that lists location-specific schedules and the status of each crossing. Local drivers should plan alternate routes and allow extra travel time for commutes, school runs, medical appointments, and deliveries during the maintenance window. Motorists should also anticipate flagging operations near active work zones.

The maintenance is intended to improve track safety and reliability, but in the short term it will disrupt normal travel patterns in rural communities that depend on a small network of crossings. For residents of Allendale County, where detours can add substantial distances between destinations, temporary closures may increase travel costs and complicate access to health care, pharmacies, and essential services. People who rely on ride shares, community transport, or limited public transportation options may face particular hardship when a nearby crossing is closed.

Local emergency services and schools will need to consider altered response and routing while crossings are unavailable. Even short closures can affect response times and the scheduling of school buses and medical transport, underscoring the importance of clear communication between railroad crews, county officials, and service providers during the project.

This work highlights a broader policy tension between maintaining freight rail infrastructure and preserving local mobility in rural counties. Regular maintenance prevents more dangerous failures and longer-term disruptions, but planning and public communication are critical to reduce unequal burdens on residents who have fewer transportation alternatives. County leaders and community organizations can help by issuing local detour maps, coordinating with school districts and emergency services, and assisting residents with travel planning where needed.

Residents should monitor CSX’s interactive updates for the most current crossing schedules, check with local government offices for detour and emergency routing information, and allow extra time when traveling near rail work sites during the Jan. 12 to Feb. 6 maintenance period.