RICHMOND, Va. – Residents are upset over a detour because they say it brings too much traffic into the neighborhood.
Since detour signs went up in her neighborhood, Patricia Chavis says they've had nothing but problems with drivers cutting through on North 26th street.
They have to do so because the city is installing a roundabout on Nine Mile Road.
Others in the neighborhood, like Antonio and Justin, have also seen their share of troubles.
In the past three months, Antonio says two of his vehicles smashed by drivers trying to navigate the narrow road.
His Toyota was totaled and Antonio spent $7,000 to buy his white Charger. But just one day ago the driver of a gold SUV hit that car, too.
Justin’s black Toyota, which is now in shambles, was also hit on N. 26th, when the driver of an Expedition slammed into it.
“We’ve been getting… every other week it has been someone else’s car in an accident – and it wasn’t their fault,” Justin said. ]
That means they’re eating costs and dealing with insurance hassles, they say.
The city spokesperson says they're working as quickly as possible to complete the roundabout.
Sharon North says the intersection had to be shut down to facilitate a quicker delivery time and a lower cost.
She says that ultimately this project will provide a gateway feature to the 25th Street corridor, smooth traffic flow, and has long term safety benefits.
These neighbors say that can't happen soon enough.
“Take the traffic away, detour it on another street -- we got no peace baby,” Chavis says.
