AHOSKIE – Repairs to Ahoskie’s Main Street railroad crossing will take longer than first projected.

The project, which got underway on Monday, has encountered a few unforeseen obstacles. For that reason, the deadline to complete the repairs has been extended until Wednesday of next week.

North Carolina Department of Transportation officials were hoping to have the project completed by 6 p.m. today (Thursday).

According to Ahoskie Town Manager Tony Hammond, the problems were caused by underground pipes plus the fact that concrete, one foot thick, was discovered under the top layer of asphalt.

DOT workers at the scene are expected to complete repairs to the siding rails by today, but will need three days next week to finish the main tracks.

Hammond said the crossing will be temporarily open on Saturday and Sunday, but will close again at 6 a.m. on Monday and hopefully reopen by 6 p.m. on Wednesday. A “crush-and-run” mixture will be used for the temporary opening, a fact that will allow the Ahoskie Chamber of Commerce Holiday Parade to proceed without interruption on Saturday morning.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.