Narrative:

We had just landed on runway xx in ZZZ; and I had transferred control (steering) to the captain. Tower cleared us to turn left at the end and contact ramp as well as advising us that traffic was short final behind us. We began a turnoff at taxiway E2 as has been customary under such a clearance and noticed a painting crew beginning work on the left edge of the taxiway. We were too far into the turnoff to make a reversal; so we continued staying as far right as possible in order to avoid the workmen. We accessed the ramp without issue and kept the workers outside our wingtips the entire time. We avoided the workmen as best as possible while clearing the runway. Upon reaching the gate we double checked our release and the NOTAMS for any mention of a closure of taxiway E2 and checked the ATIS as well. When we did the double check on the ATIS; it had changed to information D; which did say that taxiway E2 was closed. I believe this event occurred in part due to a lack of information and imprecise communication during a high workload phase of flight. There was no mention of a closing of taxiway E2 on the ATIS; which was C when we were arriving; or on the NOTAMS on our release; or by tower in their taxi instructions. There was a cautionary of men and equipment adjacent to the area; so I assumed the equipment we saw was in the grass and did not realize they were on the taxiway until we had begun our turn off of the runway. There were also no cones; flags; or other warning signage or devices to indicate that the taxiway we were about to turn onto was closed. I believe better communication of information regarding closings either in the ATIS; NOTAMS; or by ATC would be helpful in avoiding such a situation; especially for short term or non-regular closings. More precise runway exit instructions from ATC could be helpful as well; especially given the nature of operations on runway xx. Personally I intend to be more observant of airport ground vehicles and personnel in the area and try to do a better job of determining weather or not they are providing an obstruction to our planned path.supplemental info from acn 827511: for months the D1 and E1; newly created taxiways were not open due to personnel working in the area. So we have been using the E2/D2 taxiways as the end. While trying to turn off I heard control tower advise one of our aircraft on approach to runway xx to south turn for spacing. I looked back in the turn and noticed that he was close. I then directed my attention forward again while turning on taxiway E2 and notice painters to the left painting a big red box. No marking or obstructions were placed so I continued taxiing passing the painters well clear. One waved at us. I asked my first officer is this open? He did not know. At the gate I checked the notams on the release and no NOTAM for taxiway E2 was present even C ATIS had no NOTAM for taxiway E2. At the gate I listen to the next ATIS D; and yes; there it was taxiway E2 closed. Neither approach nor control tower advised us of the closure; and no markings in the form of barriers or cones were placed. I talked to another captain and he said he almost made the same mistake but noticed cones they were placing and diverted to the next taxiway. Later when taxiing out we noticed that they made sure barriers and cones with lights were placed before they started to work in the area.

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Original NASA ASRS Text

Title: Dash 8-300 flight crew exits runway on taxiway with paint crew at work at left edge. No NOTAM was issued nor did ATIS close this taxiway. After taxi in latest ATIS did close this taxiway.

Narrative: We had just landed on Runway XX in ZZZ; and I had transferred control (steering) to the Captain. Tower cleared us to turn left at the end and contact ramp as well as advising us that traffic was short final behind us. We began a turnoff at Taxiway E2 as has been customary under such a clearance and noticed a painting crew beginning work on the left edge of the taxiway. We were too far into the turnoff to make a reversal; so we continued staying as far right as possible in order to avoid the workmen. We accessed the ramp without issue and kept the workers outside our wingtips the entire time. We avoided the workmen as best as possible while clearing the runway. Upon reaching the gate we double checked our release and the NOTAMS for any mention of a closure of Taxiway E2 and checked the ATIS as well. When we did the double check on the ATIS; it had changed to information D; which did say that Taxiway E2 was closed. I believe this event occurred in part due to a lack of information and imprecise communication during a high workload phase of flight. There was no mention of a closing of Taxiway E2 on the ATIS; which was C when we were arriving; or on the NOTAMS on our release; or by Tower in their taxi instructions. There was a cautionary of men and equipment adjacent to the area; so I assumed the equipment we saw was in the grass and did not realize they were on the taxiway until we had begun our turn off of the runway. There were also no cones; flags; or other warning signage or devices to indicate that the taxiway we were about to turn onto was closed. I believe better communication of information regarding closings either in the ATIS; NOTAMS; or by ATC would be helpful in avoiding such a situation; especially for short term or non-regular closings. More precise runway exit instructions from ATC could be helpful as well; especially given the nature of operations on Runway XX. Personally I intend to be more observant of airport ground vehicles and personnel in the area and try to do a better job of determining weather or not they are providing an obstruction to our planned path.Supplemental info from ACN 827511: For months the D1 and E1; newly created taxiways were not open due to personnel working in the area. So we have been using the E2/D2 Taxiways as the end. While trying to turn off I heard Control Tower advise one of our aircraft on approach to Runway XX to S turn for spacing. I looked back in the turn and noticed that he was close. I then directed my attention forward again while turning on Taxiway E2 and notice painters to the left painting a big red box. No marking or obstructions were placed so I continued taxiing passing the painters well clear. One waved at us. I asked my First Officer is this open? He did not know. At the gate I checked the NOTAMs on the release and no NOTAM for Taxiway E2 was present even C ATIS had no NOTAM for Taxiway E2. At the gate I listen to the next ATIS D; and yes; there it was Taxiway E2 closed. Neither Approach nor Control Tower advised us of the closure; and no markings in the form of barriers or cones were placed. I talked to another Captain and he said he almost made the same mistake but noticed cones they were placing and diverted to the next taxiway. Later when taxiing out we noticed that they made sure barriers and cones with lights were placed before they started to work in the area.

Data retrieved from NASA's ASRS site as of April 2012 and automatically converted to unabbreviated mixed upper/lowercase text. This report is for informational purposes with no guarantee of accuracy. See NASA's ASRS site for official report.