News Flash

Street Will Closed to Through Traffic Until Repair Completed

DURHAM, N.C. – If you live or travel along Watts Street near Duke University’s East Campus, or if you walk in the vicinity of George Watts Elementary School, you’ll want to take note of an upcoming construction project.

The City of Durham Public Works Department will soon begin construction to replace a section of Watts Street and Alley 13. A compromised stormwater system within the right-of-way has caused sinkholes near the sidewalk.

Beginning on Tuesday, September 24, Watts Street between Dacian Avenue and Monmouth Avenue as well as Alley 13 between North Buchanan Boulevard and North Gregson Street will be closed to through traffic, and will remain closed until the repair work is complete. All vehicle and pedestrian traffic will use North Buchanan Boulevard as a detour. A copy of the detour plan can now be reviewed on the project webpage.

The area within the construction limits will remain open to local traffic only with limited on-street parking spaces during construction. This construction is expected to take eight weeks to complete depending on weather and site conditions.

The cost to repair the pipe and roadway is estimated at $238,000, and will be paid for through the Stormwater Capital Improvement Program (CIP) funds. For more information about this repair project, contact Project Manager Yi Wang with the City's Public Works Department at (919) 560-4326, ext. 30244 or [email protected].

About the Public Works Department Stormwater and GIS Services Division
The Stormwater and GIS Services Division with the City of Durham Public Works Department is guided by the City’s Strategic Plan goals of sustainable, natural, and built environment and innovative and high-performing organization.  Activities include storm drainage design and plans review; inspecting and maintaining City-owned drainage systems; enforcing stormwater ordinances and regulations; education and outreach; stream monitoring, restoration, and watershed master planning; maintaining multiple layers of the City’s geographic information; and stormwater billing.  To learn more, follow on Facebook and Twitter.