State officials to watch pothole repair

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Drivers are not the only ones frustrated about the pothole problems in Hampton Roads. The Commonwealth Transportation Board says Friday's pothole mess on Interstate 264 shows changes need to made.

CTB members tell WAVY.com they plan to better monitor the work of the private contractors hired to patch up the potholes, TME Enterprises. CTB member board member Hollis Ellis says TME Enterprises was awarded more than $30 million from the state to maintain the interstates and repair potholes.

Ellis also says the pothole situation on Interstate 264 shows the response time for repairing the roads needs to improve, and contractors need to be held accountable. The response time of TME Enterprises was one of many concerns discussed at a CTB meeting earlier this year.

In light the dangerous potholes that caused traffic delays and car damage Friday evening on Interstate 264, Ellis says it's clear CTB and VDOT need to better monitor the contractor's work.

"We have not followed back and made sure the contractors have done what they are supposed to do. This is going to change from here on out," Ellis said. "In fact our people from central office are down here at I-264 inspecting the work and ensuring the contractors are going to follow through with temporary repairs and permanent repairs."

CTB recently approved renewing TME Enterprises' contract for road maintenance.