I-26 asphalt project nearly done

Construction crews are about halfway through a two-month job to lay down a fresh ribbon of asphalt on 9.5 miles of Interstate 26, but it's taking much longer for the state to pay motorists whose cars were damaged when the old pavement came apart.

So far, the Department of Transportation has received 101 claims seeking $110,000 to cover damages from the road. As of June 30, the state had paid out just $5,778, said Pete Poore, director of communications for the agency. "We're working through them."

Motorists such as Bob Seidler have been waiting since winter when cold weather sped the highway's aging process and caused more loose rocks to fly into people's vehicles.

After reading a Post and Courier Watchdog report about the I-26 rocks issue, Seidler sought repair estimates from area body shops and submitted damage claims to the state Department of Transportation. His car had damage to the windshield and paint, and he said estimates from area body shops averaged about $4,200 to fix.

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He submitted his claims in February, and spoke regularly to transportation officials in North Charleston, who told him that they sent his paperwork to Columbia. An adjuster eventually called Seidler to go over the claim, mentioning that it was higher than average. Seidler said he drives a Mercedes, which can be more expensive to fix than some makes.

Seidler said officials in Columbia recently told him that his claim was in order, but that they still were mulling over how to respond to the I-26 claims issue.

The rock damage issue stems from the use of what is known as "open-graded friction" asphalt on parts of I-26 and Interstate 526. This particular asphalt mix reduces splattering and spray in wet weather. But it also is known to come apart quickly at the end of its life cycle, which is what happened in the past year.

The problem should be solved soon, though.

Working nights, crews began work a month ago to scrape off the existing asphalt on I-26 and lay down a new layer between Ashley Phosphate Road and U.S. Highway 17A. Banks Construction won the $4.7 million contract for the job, which is expected to be completed by the first week of August, depending on the weather.

Meanwhile, Seidler wonders when the paperwork for his claim will get done. "I'm still driving around with a crack in my windshield," he said.

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