VDOT: TME not repairing potholes timely

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The Virginia Department of Transportation has released a preliminary report on its findings regarding last month's pothole fiasco.

Friday morning, VDOT held a news conference to announce it was releasing the report, but would not answer any questions about the report until next week. WAVY.com obtained a copy of the report minutes later.

The report details findings and solutions evaluating the Feb. 8 mess on Interstate 264 eastbound that left dozens of drivers with flat tires and other damages.

Preliminary report on VDOT's findings

WAVY.com has closely followed VDOT's response to drivers during the past few weeks, as well as their subcontractor responsible for patching the potholes on I-264 from Virginia Beach to Norfolk, TME Enterprises, Inc.

The nine page Pothole Preliminary Summary is mostly critical of TME Enterprises.

According to the report, TME was responsible for conducting temporary repairs to potholes 6"x6" x 1 1/2" deep or larger immediately after they were notified of the pothole or it was discovered. All other potholes are to be repaired within two days of discovery. The report goes on to state TME is responsible for making permanent repairs to potholes within 30 days of notification.

"The TAMS contractor [TME]...has not performed repair activities on these potholes (either temporary or permanent) in a manner or at a rate sufficient to maintain a 'safe, durable and smooth surface'," the report said. "VDOT records indicate that many potholes reported on Feb. 8 and 9 were still not marked complete as of Feb. 14."

The report also states a VDOT employee stated TME wasn't actively looking for potholes prior to notification.

"There are very few instances or records of consistent permanent patching by the TAMS contractor [TME] as defined in the contract," the report went on to say.

VDOT says its own crews assisted with pothole repair on the interstate and is recommending billing TME for the expenses incurred. 

Commonwealth Transportation Board Member Aubrey Layne told WAVY.com Friday, "When a temporary repair was made we should have come back when weather allowed to put in the permanent fix. Obviously that didn't occur, and VDOT didn't make sure it occurred."

Other recommendations made in the preliminary report include TME taking more proactive measures to prevent potholes from forming and VDOT and TME meeting every two weeks to discuss evaluations. A report will be documented for each meeting.

TME is currently under investigation in Chesapeake and Norfolk for illegal dumping of road materials into city stormwater systems.

The pothole fiasco also led to the resignation of VDOT's District Administrator for Hampton Roads, Dennis Heuer.