Big changes are coming to downtown Raleigh! Crews are busy replacing and upgrading old water and sewer lines before the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system arrives. By doing this work now, they can avoid tearing up the streets twice. Nearly 2 miles of pipes will be replaced or repaired across six downtown streets. The project is expected to wrap up by Summer 2026.

Benefits

• Replaces aging water and sewer lines
• Prepares streets for future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects
• Supports growth and reliability for years to come

Traffic Impacts

We understand that temporary lane closures and parking restrictions can be inconvenient for those who live, work, or visit downtown. However, addressing these aging water and sewer lines now helps prevent emergency pipe failures in the future, which would result in far greater disruptions. 

Heads Up, Raleigh Drivers!

East Martin Street and South Wilmington Street will have nightly full and lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m., March 15–April 3.

The roads will reopen each morning. Drive safely around crews.

Access to homes and businesses will remain open throughout the project. Streets and lanes will reopen daily at 6 a.m. for normal use.

At the Wilmington Street–Martin Street intersection, one through lane will remain open for local traffic, helping downtown residents reach the South Wilmington Street parking garages.

Location:
Intersection of East Morgan Street and South Wilmington Street

Detour Routes:

• Northbound on South Wilmington Street:
→ Right on East Hargett Street
→ Left on South Person Street
→ Left on East Edenton Street
→ Right onto South Wilmington Street

• Eastbound on East Morgan Street:
→ Right on South Salisbury Street
→ Left on East Hargett Street
→ Left on South Person Street
→ Right onto East Morgan Street

Follow all posted traffic signs.
Detour Map

Schedule:
9 p.m. to 6 a.m. each night from Sunday, March 22, through Friday, March 27.
Roads reopen outside of these hours.
 

Note: Water service interruptions are not expected. Raleigh Water thanks the public for their patience as crews work quickly and safely to improve the shared water system.
 

Completed Streets

Morgan Street
E. Edenton Street
New Bern Place
E. Jones Street

Current Impacts

S Blount Street, E Jones Street, E Martin Street, Wilmington Street

To Be Completed
 

2026 Work Schedule

All street impacts and work schedules are subject to change due to weather and other unforeseen events.

Phase 3A is one part of a larger, multi-phase project to upgrade water and sewer infrastructure across Raleigh. Future phases will continue improvements in other parts of the city.