american tobacco campus

Downtown Durham Traffic Alert: Waterline Work Ramps Up Oct. 18–31 Near American Tobacco

Headed to ATC or DBAP? Plan extra time Oct. 18–31. Northbound Blackwell closes mid-week, with shifts on Willard, Pettigrew, and Chapel Hill; posted detours in place.

Wes Platt

Wes Platt

— 3 min read
Aerial map of downtown Durham showing red closure segments and blue detour routes.
Detours and lane closures around American Tobacco Campus, Oct. 18–31, 2025. Red lines mark work/closures on southbound Willard (Yancey→Blackwell), the Blackwell/Jackie Robinson intersection, and eastbound Pettigrew (Chapel Hill→Blackwell). Blue lines show signed detours, including Morehead → S. Roxboro → Jackie Robinson and Ramseur → Corcoran/Blackwell; lane shifts on Chapel Hill St are also noted.

If you’re heading downtown over the next two weeks - especially around American Tobacco Campus - expect lane closures, shifting traffic patterns, and flaggers as Durham city workers advance Phase 2 of the American Tobacco District Waterline Replacement project. The work replaces aging 1930s-era mains and is slated to run from September 2025 through spring 2027.

City officials say they're coordinating with American Tobacco Campus for the Bull City Race Fest on Sunday, Oct. 19 to keep the course moving; the Blackwell Street/Jackie Robinson Drive intersection is planned to be ready for race traffic that morning. Race Fest organizers list the 2025 event for Sunday, Oct. 19, with a 7:30 a.m. start downtown.

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What to Expect & When

Sat–Sun, Oct. 18–19

  • Work in the Chapel Hill St./Pettigrew St. area.
  • Pettigrew St. between Chapel Hill St. and Blackwell St.: eastbound lane closure; detour via Ramseur → Corcoran/Blackwell.
  • Chapel Hill St. between Willard St. and Pettigrew St.: lane shifts; two-way traffic maintained.
  • Work hours: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; noise may exceed ordinance levels; no water/sewer service disruptions expected.
    (City project update & page.)

Week of Oct. 20–24

  • Willard St. (Yancey → Blackwell): southbound lane closure; detour Jackson → Vickers → Morehead.
  • Blackwell St./Jackie Robinson Dr.: lane shifts with flaggers begin mid-week for waterline installation through the intersection.
  • Blackwell St. (NB) from Morehead Ave → Jackie Robinson Dr.: closed about one week starting Wed., Oct. 22; detour Morehead → S. Roxboro → Jackie Robinson.
  • Pettigrew St. (Chapel Hill → Blackwell): eastbound lane closure; detour Ramseur → Corcoran/Blackwell.
  • Chapel Hill St. (Willard → Pettigrew): lane shifts; two-way traffic maintained.
  • Work hours: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; noise may exceed ordinance levels; no service disruptions expected.
    (City project update & page.)

Week of Oct. 27–31

  • Willard St. (Yancey → Blackwell): southbound lane closure; detour Jackson → Vickers → Morehead.
  • Blackwell St./Jackie Robinson Dr.: continuing lane shifts with flaggers as crews finish the intersection work.
  • Blackwell St. (NB) from Morehead Ave → Jackie Robinson Dr.: remains closed with detour Morehead → S. Roxboro → Jackie Robinson while intersection work wraps.
  • Pettigrew St. (Chapel Hill → Blackwell): eastbound lane closure; detour Ramseur → Corcoran/Blackwell.
  • Chapel Hill St. (Willard → Pettigrew): lane shifts, with flaggers at the Chapel Hill/Pettigrew intersection; two-way traffic maintained.
  • Work hours: 7 a.m.–7 p.m.; noise may exceed ordinance levels; no service disruptions expected.
    (City project update & page.)

Getting Around: Quick Tips

  • Headed to ATC or DBAP? Build in extra minutes and follow posted detours; watch for flaggers at Blackwell/Jackie Robinson.
  • Bull City Race Fest on Oct. 19: Check race-day timelines and course info if you’re running or cheering; morning travel near Blackwell/Jackie Robinson will be busier than usual.
  • Noise & hours: Construction is daytime (7 a.m.–7 p.m.) with elevated noise at times; the City does not anticipate water/sewer interruptions.

Why This Work Matters

Phase 2 replaces ~10,000–11,500 feet of older distribution mains and adds transmission main to improve fire flow and water quality in the American Tobacco District - part of a multi-year effort to modernize downtown utilities.

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