UPDATE: Chapel Hill Police shared a release at 10:40 a.m. saying Raleigh Road has reopened to all traffic.

One of Chapel Hill’s more well-traveled roads was anything but on Wednesday morning, as a downed tree led to a closure and traffic delays.

The Chapel Hill Police Department shared an alert with the community shortly before 8 a.m. Wednesday saying a tree had fallen and was leaning across Raleigh Road — which heads west-bound to UNC’s campus and east-bound to Fordham Boulevard and Interstate 40.

Police closed Raleigh Road from Greenwood Road to Country Club Road to divert traffic away from the tree, which is to be removed.

The result, however, was significant traffic delays for people in the corridor. Police urged drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians to avoid the area entirely, leading to back-ups along NC Highway 54, Fordham Boulevard and other surrounding roads. Chapel Hill Transit also issued an alert to its passengers about the road closure, saying its FCX, S, N, and A routes would be detoured and likely delayed while Raleigh Road was blocked off.

According to Duke Energy’s Outage Map, there was no power outage reported due to the fallen tree.

 

Photo via the Chapel Hill Police Department.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our biweekly newsletter.

 

Related Stories
‹
Car Stolen At Gunpoint Tuesday Morning; Chapel Hill Police Investigating
The Chapel Hill Police Department said it is investigating a report of a carjacking along Raleigh Road Tuesday morning and is working to identify two suspects. A release from the department said officers responded to a report of a stolen car around 9:30 a.m. at the Exxon gas station and Refuel market at 1010 Raleigh […]
Trio of Incidents Slow Chapel Hill Traffic Friday; 300 Lose Power
Chapel Hill commuters may have seen increased traffic and delays on their commutes after a trio of accidents Friday morning.
MLK Reopened -- Downed Power Lines Close MLK
Critz Drive to Piney Mountain Road.
Update: 2 Arrested After Gunfire at North Roberson Street
The Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating reports of shots fired at the edge of the Northside neighborhood early Wednesday morning.
Chapel Hill Police Identify, Charge Third in High-Speed Chase and Shooting From January
Chapel Hill Police delivered 17 charges stemming from the Jan. 25 shooting to 19-year-old Maurice Keys as he was held in Durham County.
Chapel Hill Police Say 12-Year-Old Reported Missing Now Safely Located
The Chapel Hill Police Department is seeking the public's help in located a 12-year-old reported missing on Monday afternoon.
Police: 3 Arrested After Vehicle Break-Ins, Shots Fired in Chapel Hill
A series of vehicle break-ins and gunfire in a Chapel Hill neighborhood Thursday morning led to a trio of arrests, according to local authorities.
Our Town: The Story of Community Policing in Chapel Hill
This month, Chapel Hill Crisis Unit Supervisor Sarah Belcher and Chapel Hill Police Officer Tony Jeffreys tell the story of Community Policing in Chapel Hill.
Chapel Hill Crystal and Craft Shop Reports Break-In; Owner Plans to Keep Operating
A business off West Franklin Street is picking up the pieces and investigating an overnight break-in on Friday. The metaphysical and spiritual gifts shop Quantum Soul located at 109 Graham Street reported damage and stolen items to Chapel Hill Police shortly after 10 a.m. on Friday. Lynn Swain, the co-owner and operator of the store, […]
Chapel Hill Police Say 44-Year-Old Resident Now Safely Located
UPDATE: A release from Chapel Hill Police at 9:30 a.m. on Monday said Lashunda Racquel Goins has been safely located.
›