BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Residents living on Noble street say the construction to improve Mount Vernon Avenue is ruining the tranquility of their neighborhood and endangering the safety of their kids.

"They're a real a pain in the butt," said Lois Wylie.

Residents like Wylie describe drivers who take Noble Street as a detour to avoid the construction pileup on Mount Vernon Avenue. One resident who doesn't want to be identified said the traffic noise is unbearable. She recalls one day and describes it as, "I was watching TV and it got so loud I had to shut my windows because I couldn't hear my TV and when I called my husband on the phone he even heard traffic."

Neighbors say the traffic isn't just noisy but also dangerous.

"They're just in a hurry to get out of that traffic so they're going to come here at a higher speed than they would staying on Mount Vernon and I'm just afraid they'll run into someone's car, cause an accident or hit somebody's kid," said resident Corris Macken.

And its not just regular vehicles that speed by, but construction crews as well.

"Some of the big trucks go really fast around the corners too and I worry about the school children on their way home," said the unidentified resident.

The Public Works Department says it will look into allegations of their workers' speeding in the residential areas. Meanwhile it's asking residents to remain calm.

"It is somewhat inconvenient. We appreciate the patience," said Rick Millwee of Public Works.

"I hope it'll soon be over with. I'm just tired of seeing all those darn cars," said Wylie

In the meantime residents are sending this message out to drivers detouring through their street.

"Slow down and be aware of kids coming home from school. This is a neighborhood where people like to walk around and not worry about being run over by a truck" said the unidentified resident.