RALEIGH, N.C. — Road crews have been widening Western Boulevard, adding pedestrian walkways and trying to smooth it all out since January 2002, but the ongoing construction is raising the tempers of people who drive on the road every day.

Engineers say the idea through much of the Western Boulevard project is to separate traffic by building a raised median. However, some motorists said they have been frustrated with the traffic mess.

"It's a big mess, that's what I think," said one motorist.

"The traffic here is going to be just terrible. I don't know what to say," another motorist said.

City engineers say they have not forgotten all those people stuck in the daily squeeze on Western Boulevard. Engineers say there are some dates to look forward to.

"We're hoping to finish the section between Method and Gorman streets within the next two to three weeks. That's assuming the weather stays nice for us," said senior project engineer Dean Fox. "The big picture is somewhere along the lines of about two months."

Engineers hope to have construction on Western Boulevard finished by April.