Pastor Paul Vahue and the First Baptist Church of Lutz are celebrating this year.
It’s their 75th anniversary.
“Been here a longtime. People refer to us as the big white church next to the railroad tracks,” he said.
But for the next two weeks, those railroad tracks are the source of a major headache for everyone trying to drive on a busy stretch US 41.
CSX crews are repairing rails and a road crossing north of Crenshaw Lake Road.
All six lanes are closed forcing drivers on a detour.
Or for those unaware, it’s a u-turn back the other way.
“They were here this morning telling us they were going to work 24-7. Our hope was by the time we have worship on Sunday, that it would all be clear. But it’s not looking that way. We’ll leave it up to them,” said Vahue.
Thousands of commuters head south on 41 each morning from Pasco into Hillsborough County, then back north in the afternoon.
The Florida Department of Transportation has detours set up using Florida Avenue, Bearss Avenue and Dale Mabry.
“It’s just kind of a mess,” said Connie Schwab, who works in the area.
But on the first day of the closure, many didn’t seem to know what was going on.
“All day long we’ve seen people coming, trying to make U-turns, down the street, and they are coming through our complex. They are driving all through here. They don’t know where to go,” said Schwab.
“There’s been articles in the paper and there are reader signs on the road for two weeks, and even this morning coming in people were oblivious to signs,” said Vahue.
FDOT said access to all area business including Lutz Preparatory school will remain open.
But they say traffic will be heavier than normal during the repairs.
So be ready for it.
