I-26 rocks, which annoys motorists

Deteriorating asphalt on a stretch of Interstate 26 and the recent cold spell created what motorists are describing as a hailstorm of rocks and debris -- cracking windshields, chipping paint and adding stress to busy rush-hour drives.

"It makes a pop, pop, pop as you're driving," said Patrick Hershey, who lives in Ridgeville and drives on I-26 to Ashley Phosphate Road every morning. "I'm getting pelted."

A prime source of the debris is the road itself. The asphalt section leading away from the Charleston metro area is about 10 years old and "has reached the end of its life cycle," said Michael Black, district maintenance engineer for the state Department of Transportation.

This particular stretch has a road surface made with "open-graded friction" asphalt, a coarse mixture that's more permeable and quieter to drive on than some other surface types. It's also designed to reduce splattering and spray in wet weather.

When it comes to durability, however, open-graded friction asphalt has a spotty record. Traffic experts have written at length about how it deteriorates rapidly at the end of its expected lifespan. For this and other reasons, some states have stopped using the mix, while others remain strong supporters.

"It has a lot of positives, but it does have some negatives, one being the delamination of the stone," Black said.

The recent cold weather caused the asphalt to break up even more, he said.

The good news, he said, is that the department found $6.35 million to resurface the road from the Summerville exit to the concrete sections in North Charleston.

The bad news is that crews can't go to work until the temperatures go up. He said Banks Construction Co. won the bid to do the project and that he expects work to begin later this spring.

In the meantime, sweepers are out collecting debris twice a week.

He said wasn't aware of any plans to resurface the stretch of I-26 north of the Summerville exit, even though that section is roughly the same age and surface type as the area slated to be resurfaced.

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For many motorists, the resurfacing can't come too soon.

Brian Gresh, owner of Right Choice Auto Glass in North Charleston, said last week that he's getting repair calls for windows damaged by rocks on I-26 and has had close encounters himself. "I was picking up my daughter Saturday by College Park Road and got hit. I was lucky it didn't crack, but it felt like it was going to. It's just one of those road hazards."

Dena Toth said she uses I-26 on a daily basis and had to replace two windshields last year. "I got another chip. My husband said he's not going on I-26 anymore because of it," she said. "When you hear it, it sounds like hail is coming down."

Damaged car?

If your vehicle is damaged by roadway rocks on Interstate 26, visit the state Department of Transportation's office at 2401 Maintenance Way, North Charleston, to receive a claims form and compensation information.

Reach Tony Bartelme at 937-5554 or tbartelme@postandcourier.com.