Neighbors raise safety concerns about major detour off Oberlin Road

The closure, which began Monday, is part of a water improvement project that is expected to take four months to complete. The $4 million project will replace a pipeline to strengthen the system and improve water flow.

Neighbors said while they'll deal with the increased traffic at the intersection of Oberlin Road and Craig Street, they want more safety in place during the water line replacement.

"I just think better planning could have been done with the routing that's been implemented," said Banks Holcomb.

Holcomb said he's seen speeding on Craig Street in front of his house.

"We obviously get traffic cutting through here. It happens on a daily basis, but the volume has jumped up easily 10-fold," said Banks.

Ed Buchan, with Raleigh Water, said he gets why neighbors are concerned, but stresses that the work has to be done.

"We understand and we sympathize with the folks who see the detours through their neighbors," he added.

Buchan said the area had 72 water line breaks across a year five span.

"We wish we could not have this work being done, but unfortunately, with any of this type of infrastructure-- it's old," said Buchan.

That why, according to Buchan, the work is planned and detours are considered.

"We do review those detours. We look at pretty much all the different alternatives, and we end up having to go with the one we think fits the best," he said.

At several places along the detour route, neighbors said people are sitting in traffic.

"With the way cars are flying and they're backing up, blocking driveways during peak times -- someone is going to get injured," said Kathy Brown.

Brown and her neighbor's concerns have caught city officials' attention.

A digital speed survey sign is going up on Wednesday, according to city officials. On-street parking will also be temporarily closed for part of Craig Street next week. Raleigh police will also be monitoring the area for speeding.

While Oberlin Road will be closed in sections for four months, the Craig Street detour is only expected to last six weeks.

"Obviously, with kids, you want to be safe and a lot of traffic is going to be diverted to the side streets, so everyone will have to be more careful and adapt," said Gregory Goldstein.