Dittmar road closure causing problem

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Homeowners in South Austin said the city's postponement of road construction in their neighborhood is making it unsafe.

A section of Dittmar Road, off South Congress, has been blocked off for nearly a year and the construction hasn't even started

Neighbors said drivers use their streets as a detour to get onto South Congress, making it dangerous for them.

"It's not quiet anymore, constant traffic, constant noise, I'm ready to move," said Meri Bowie, who has lived on Lunar Street in South Austin for 37 years.

"They take that corner too fast and end up in my yard, " Bowie said.

"I can't get out of my driveway for several minutes cause the traffic is so bad both ways," she continued.

The closed section of road is badly eroded and needs to be supported and widened.

Austin Public Works Department said negotiations with land owners to use their property during construction is what is causing the hold up.