MoDOT, District 8, Springfield -- The railroad crossing on Sunshine Street (Greene County Route D) between Oak Grove and Lone Pine avenues in Springfield will be CLOSED to traffic during the weekend of May 1-3, the Missouri Department of Transporation said.

Burlington Northern-Santa Fe crews will tear out the existing crossing and make significant repairs to smooth the ride over the tracks.

Drivers WILL have access to businesses along Sunshine Street near the tracks.

Sunshine Street will be closed to traffic at the tracks at 7 p.m. Friday, May 1, and reopened by 6 a.m. Monday, May 3. However, railroad officials believe the crossing may be reopened by late Sunday afternoon or Sunday evening.

Traffic will be detoured onto city streets around the crossing and on state routes, including Route 65, Route 60 (James River Freeway) and Chestnut Expressway.

Large changing message boards and fixed detour signs will guide drivers around the closing.

Drivers are urged to use caution as they approach the tracks and be prepared to slow down, merge into one lane and turn onto other streets for a detour around the closing.

Drivers are asked to drive carefully and courteously through residential areas where detours will be marked on city streets.