A section of Lake Wheeler Road between Goode Street and Umstead Drive will be closed for two years starting September 8, 2026.
The busy commuter route heading into downtown Raleigh from Interstate 40 is set to get a $20 million upgrade, including new sidewalks, bike paths, roundabouts and stormwater infrastructure, according to a release from the city of Raleigh.
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The work in the short but busy one-mile stretch is part of the new entrance improvement project to Dix Park. City planners said the area has outgrown the current roadway, which is why the project will add two new roundabouts to help slow down traffic.
Some small business owners are concerned about how the closure could affect their customer base.
Judy Lee and her husband have rented a house on Lake Wheeler Road for just about a year and a half. Together, they run Willow House Coffee and Community.
"Small businesses – we’re all kind of a little nervous," Lee said. "Will customers still be able to get to us easily? How much will this really re-route traffic?"
Lee said a lot of her customers stop in for coffee on their way to work or to drop off their kids at school. As the owner of a relatively new business, she's worried about visibility and accessibility for her coffee shop.
She also believes the changes are necessary. Besides the two-year-long wait, she thinks the road additions to make it safer for pedestrians will be good for her business and others in the long run.
"We’re also all very excited about it. We think this has been a long-time need for Lake Wheeler," Lee said. "It’s a little dangerous walking along here. It’s going to be really beautiful in the end and help everybody."
While construction is underway, people going to or leaving from downtown will take a short detour along Maywood Avenue and Saunders Street.
Dix Park and the State Farmers Market will still be accessible throughout Lake Wheeler Road's closure.
