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Two months later, and still no payments to drivers with pothole claims

Posted at 7:33 PM, Apr 11, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-12 07:38:05-04

Norfolk, Va. - A trip down pothole-ridden I-264 cost David Kennedy $419.80!

He says his 1995 Dodge Caravan received a beating during the pothole emergency on February 8th.

“The heaviness of hitting those holes is what cracked the rubber mounts,” said Kennedy.

Replacing one transmission mount and two motor mounts took a chunk out of his monthly budget, so he filed a claim with TME Enterprises to get his money back.

“I was hoping, because I live on a very limited social security income, and I had borrowed money from the bank to pay for that,” said Kennedy.

On February 28th, they sent him a letter, confirming his claim had been received, but that's the last time he heard from the company.

“Not a word, not a dime, not a word.  It makes me a little angry,” said Kennedy

At the Commonwealth Transportation Board meeting last month, we asked VDOT commissioner Greg Whirley about the claims process.

“We told the contractor that we would be withholding payment if these claims are not resolved,” said Whirley.

When we checked back in with VDOT this week, though, they would only say, "We are continuing to work with TME towards reaching a resolution."

”I don’t understand why it’s taking so long to make up their mind what they are going to do, because they know they’ve got to do it,” said Kennedy.

The only good news lately is the road itself.

I-264 in Norfolk is looking better than ever, and VDOT tells NewsChannel 3 that contract crews have started removing pothole ridden pavement on I-264 in Virginia Beach.

Work is now going on every night between the Witchduck and Rosemont exits.

Phase two of that project from Rosemont to Parks Avenue closer to the Beach will start later this spring.

Click here to read NewsChannel 3's full coverage of VDOT Potholes.