"About a year ago it was really bad, then it let up," said James, who works for a Michigan technology firm out of his home office. "About three weeks ago it picked up again."

James doesn't think fast-moving trucks bearing heavy loads should be using Culbreth, which runs past neighborhoods and a middle school.

Neither does Chapel Hill town traffic engineer Kumar Neppalli.

He already was aware of the concern when the Troubleshooter called, and said he was trying to set up meetings with UNC-Chapel Hill, town of Carrboro and state officials.

Like James, he thinks truck drivers may be using Culbreth Road as a shortcut to nearby construction projects.

"I don't believe we should allow those kind of trucks on that street," he said.

Since then Neppalli has met with UNC-CH transportation planning officials, who he said were unaware of the situation.

Neppalli also has arranged to meet with Carrboro and state Department of Transportation officials next week about prohibiting truck through traffic on Culbreth Road. Part of the road is in Carrboro's jurisdiction.

Merritt Gravel Pit sits up the road from Culbreth on Damascus Church Road.

Owner Ilene Merritt said she can't tell drivers which road to use.

"We are a supplier, and I don't know the routes they take," she said.

IS SOMETHING BROKEN IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? We want tips from communities across the Triangle -- Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill and Wake, Johnston, Orange and Chatham counties. Call (919) 836-5740 and leave a message on our tip line or e-mail us at troubleshooter@newsobserver.com. See previous items in the Triangle Troubleshooter at newsobserver.com (search for Troubleshooter).

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