CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — A sticky situation for residents near Gum Road in Chesapeake could be nearing an end after a public works project that forced a road closure has taken longer than expected. “At first, I was really pleased because I knew they had to do something with the stormwater," said resident Mark Kent. "I heard all about that, and the things that they were doing I felt like was a help." According to the city of Chesapeake’s Department of Public Works, the construction in the area is part of the four-phase John Street Outfall Improvement Project — a series of upgrades to the stormwater system in which larger drainage culverts are being installed. That work began in July and was supposed to be done in August. But weather delays and challenges getting building materials persist. “I’m just looking for a little more communication,” said resident Shawn Frierson. Residents feel they haven’t been properly advised on just how long the work could take, stating that the closure has caused inconveniences to commutes and has posed a danger to drivers. “Some of them don’t want to make the U-turn, or maybe they didn’t realize that the road was closed," Frierson said, "and they will ride on the other side, and I’ve seen cars where one has to pull over as the other one gets by." The detour reroutes drivers through a neighborhood on the other side of the area, where they end up at a stoplight on Taylorwood Boulevard. “I’m sure those folks would love to not have us driving through their neighborhood with as much traffic as they now have,” Kent said. Neighbors in that neighborhood commented on the traffic. “This is a little neighborhood, so the signal light only goes off every four or five minutes, so cars will back up six seven cars at a time,” said resident Charles Waggoner. The city said these residents can expect some relief soon, as they now anticipate completion of this phase in early October. Many, however, say they aren’t holding their breath. “It’s definitely going to be an improvement when it’s done, but how long is it going to take to get done," Kent said. "Are we talking six months? How long is that going to take?” In a statement, the city of Chesapeake’s Department of Public Works said that "we understand the frustration of area residents due to these unforeseen delays and want to assure them that city staff is working diligently alongside our project contractor to perform the outstanding work as quickly as possible while ensuring the safety of the public and our crews. Delays on projects such as these are not uncommon, but we do acknowledge the impacts those delays and the associated detours have on those who live in the neighborhood and are committed to completing this critically important stormwater improvement project in the coming weeks. We ask residents to continue adhering to posted traffic control and detour signage in the area while we work to complete this project.”