Starting May 3, drivers will need to detour around the railroad crossing near the intersection of Crystal Falls Parkway and US 183 due to ongoing road construction.

Drivers can still access businesses east of the railroad tracks such as Austin Telco Federal Credit Union and Chevron, City Engineer Wayne Watts said May 1.

Watts said the parkway portion may be closed through June 27, but city engineers hope to finish the project sooner. Until the crossing is completed, motorists traveling on the parkway will turn right onto Leander Drive, then left onto East Sonny Drive to reach US 183, Watts said. Traffic coming from US 183 will follow the same detour to reach Crystal Falls Parkway, he said.

Road construction began in November 2013. The city is spending $1.9 million on the last stage of a 5-year plan to repave and widen the parkway with added curbs and turn lanes.