THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, April 29, 1996 TAG: 9604270025
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 36 lines
Spring has leaped upon us, the construction crews are out on the freeways once again, cutting huge squares of concrete out on 64, 44 and 564. This concrete appears to be quite solid, workers are replacing it with fast-drying, weaker patches that do not last as long as the original concrete.
But they do not cut out the areas that have big chuck holes. They either ignore the holes, or throw a big batch of blacktop in it. Normally, too much patch is added, so instead of a hole to contend with you now have a big hump, both of which give your vehicle's front end a stunning jar.
Case in point is Route 44 between Independence Boulevard and Rosemont Road (headed toward the beach). The right-hand lane has had numerous concrete patches added. Almost every one of these patches has potholes that have been patched with blacktop. I have ridden on country roads that were smoother.
Why is it that they cannot patch up the potholes (and patch them smooth) before they cut out great sections of concrete that has no apparent flaws?
Other than the fact, in my opinion, that they don't make any money patching the holes, and they make lots of taxpayer money by replacing concrete that really doesn't need to be replaced, I can't think of a reason.
The Virginia Department of Transportation needs to wake up and do a better job of contracting these jobs out, and stop letting the construction companies rip off the taxpayers with useless work.
ROBERT SMITH
Virginia Beach, April 23, 1996 by CNB