Drivers and businesses along Kimberly Road are preparing for some major traffic tie-ups next week.
Beginning Monday, May 4, 2015, Kimberly will be closed for railroad crews to replace the crossing just west of Eastern Avenue in Davenport, Iowa.
Employees at Mattress Outlet expect business to be slow for the duration of the work. The store will be open, but it could be tricky to navigate the area.
"We do have a back route to get here, however, I'm not sure how many people are actually going to take that extra initiative to get over here and get their bedding. We'll have to wait and see," said James Smith.
Smith says the majority of the store's business comes from Kimberly Road.
"It's going to be a bit of an inconvenience," said Smith.
The road closing is necessary because of the size of the equipment used for the work, according to the Iowa Department of Transportation. The railroad crossing will be replaced a half section at a time, and Kimberly Road traffic will be closed in alternate directions on differing days.
A marked detour will direct drivers to take Eastern Avenue to 53rd Street, then to Brady and Harrison streets. Timing could change for traffic signals along the detour route to help avoid backups.
Drivers like Allison Anderson said they're already planning to avoid the area altogether.
"I'm pretty sure it's going to get really backed up," said Anderson. "I'll probably try to take a back road and find the easiest way to get to work, if it's not congested."
Weather permitting, the work should be completed by Friday, May 8th.