Fed up local drivers have filed formal complaints with the Florida Department of Transportation after they said their cars were damaged from construction on State Road 200/State Road A1A.
Action News Jax first showed you the problems in October and now, state leaders are stepping in to get results.
"All this damage to everybody's vehicles is just disheartening," driver Christina McLaughlin said.
About four times a week, McLaughlin has to travel on State Road 200, dealing with the ongoing construction.
Remember when I told you about damaged vehicles from SR200 in Nassau co? Well now elected officials are getting involved. The story in 7 minutes on @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/RRqT3JTh1j
— Danielle Avitable (@Danielle_NBC4) November 29, 2017
"It's awful. You might hit a pothole; it’s very uneven," McLaughlin said.
About two weeks ago, she said, a rock flew into the air and cracked her windshield.
"It was big enough to cause a nice chip in my windshield that was splintering. I had to get it replaced and not repaired," McLaughlin said.
Action News Jax spoke with a representative with FDOT and was told that they are aware of the roads being in bad shape but it is only temporary.
"I know people are upset. Road construction is inconvenient. This project has gone on a long time," State Representative Cord Byrd said.
After hearing several complaints about this road, Byrd said he and Senator Aaron Bean started reaching out to FDOT about the construction causing safety concerns.
"While it's inconvenient, it should never be unsafe and that's my concern and that's what I’m trying to do," Byrd said.
Byrd said five people have filed formal complaints with FDOT and they are now putting inspectors out on the road daily to address safety issues.
"They should get the road to be flattened out or smoothed out until they're ready to pave it out," McLaughlin said.
The project isn’t expected to be complete until the summer of 2019. Byrd said they are going to continue to work with FDOT to hold the contractor accountable. Byrd’s office said these are the steps to file a claim if your vehicle was damaged:
Initiate the claim:
Contact: Odette Struys
FDOT Public Information Officer
904-360-5582
Odette.struys@dot.state.fl.us.
Required information to file claim:
Location where it occurred (must be between Rubin Davis and Nassauville Road)
Type of vehicle
Date of incident
Your address
Your phone number
Explanation of what you believe caused alleged damage
2. Once initial claim is filed, you will receive a certified letter from England-Thims & Miller (a copy will be sent to the contractor)
3. England-Thims & Miller will provide you with contractor's contact information.
4. Once letter is received via certified mail, the contractor and the complainant will communicate directly.
5. Contractor investigates the claim.
6. Contractor accepts responsibility or denies claim.
Cox Media Group
