BIDDEFORD — Motorists are going to have to find an alternative route around a busy railroad crossing in Biddeford for more than 24 hours next week.

According to a press release issued by the Biddeford Police Department, the Main Street Railroad Crossing will be closed to traffic starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday and running through mid- to late afternoon on Wednesday, Sept. 12.

Police say the closure is necessary to allow for rail replacement work to be performed on the railroad tracks.

The work will require a total road closure so there will be no road construction on South Street on both Tuesday and Wednesday, police said.

South Street west of May Street in Biddeford has been torn up by a massive storm sewer and water line construction project since June and with the temporary closure of Main Street on Tuesday, two-way traffic will be open on South Street on both days.

With motorists unable to access upper Main Street as a result of the railroad crossing closure, police are advising drivers to use South Street to access the western part of the city.

Because of the number of children being diverted to Bradbury Street for school bus pickup, police say that there will be no parking on Bradbury Street on Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The railroad crossing provides motorists with access to Biddeford High School and Rotary Park.

In April 2012, a pedestrian was struck and killed by a train on the railroad tracks just 400 feet west of Main Street.

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