(WSBT) It's one of the busiest roads in our area, and it's the future site of a railroad underpass.

Crews closed Main Street from Broadway to Jefferson in October. It was supposed to reopen around Thanksgiving, but that was pushed back to Friday, Nov. 30. Now we’ve learned Main Street may not reopen until next year.

The quarter mile stretch was closed so crews could begin work on the first phase of the underpass project.

But the city engineer says that work didn't go as planned, and that isn't good news for drivers or neighbors.

"We can't to wait for it to open back up,” said driver Tim Draskovits.

But drivers are going to have to wait a little longer. The City of Mishawaka Engineering Department is estimating the crossing will now open in February 2008.

"Construction is always delayed so you have to expect that,” Draskovits said. “But yeah ... it's a hassle."

Drivers aren't the only ones counting down the days until Main Street reopens.

"I've noticed a lot of vibrating during the day when I'm home,” said Samantha Wolf, who lives in the area.

That vibrating is one of two main reasons for the delays. Mishawaka City Engineer Gary West says in order to make more room underneath the bridge, workers have to raise the permanent railroad tracks 18 inches.

"So they've been raising them, and as we drive the sheet piling down the tracks are going back down,” West explained. “So then they come and raise them up."

West also says workers didn't properly put in the temporary railroad tracks. Instead of elevating them to accommodate the curve, workers laid them flat.

"I was unhappy,” West said. “What can I say?"

But despite a third delay some people told WSBT News they're willing to stay patient if it means getting the job done right.

“Well things have to happen so if that's what needs to get done we have to get it done,” a local resident said.

The weather may also push back this phase of the project even more.

Canadian National Railroad, who is working on the railroad portion of the project, didn’t return our calls.