CHARLOTTE, N.C. — It's 11:03 p.m. on Friday and construction crews are hard at work outside Carl Zimmerman’s condo.
“Construction way past the normal city ordinance hours,” Zimmerman sighed.
It’s part of the second phase to improve storm drainage and expand the CityLYNX Gold Line down Trade street.
Zimmerman decided to create a petition to “Stop Overnight Construction on Trade Street”. He said a little extra noise comes with the territory, but these crews have turned it up a notch.
The City of Charlotte Noise Ordinance states it is illegal to use construction machinery between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. It's also unlawful for construction crews to work within 300 feet of a residential zone between those hours.
However, the city ordinance does conveniently give the city authority to conduct work overnight.
“We sympathize with the neighbors. Unfortunately, this work must be done overnight in order to minimize traffic and pedestrian conflicts and because of the temperatures needed for the work," A CATS spokesperson told NBC Charlotte.
“I’m not sure how much longer we can put up with it,” Zimmerman said.
CATS just released an update on Facebook, saying construction on Trade from I-77 through Graham Street should be completed in July. Construction between Graham Street and Tryon should be completed in September.