WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Several drivers reached out to Channel 11 News Tuesday about conditions on Interstate 79 in Washington County, saying tar and chips placed on the roadway damaged their vehicles.
In one email, a viewer wrote, “It is awful. Rocks are flying everywhere, hitting vehicles and windshields. Why on Earth would PennDOT do this?”
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Adam Smith, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s Washington County maintenance supervisor, explained that the fresh oil and chips are meant to prevent more damage during the upcoming winter months.
“The seal coat operation is necessary to prolong the useful life of the center line joint and the shoulder joint to prevent deterioration and potholing,” Smith said.
Smith said crews are seal-coating the center joint and the shoulders on Interstate 79 and Interstate 70 to keep potholes from forming like they did last winter.
“We don't do it that often, but we had issues with potholes on I-79 and I-70 in Washington County last winter. We are trying to prevent those situations from occurring again,” Smith said.
Smith advised that if drivers stay in their 12-foot-wide lanes and obey the speed limit, they shouldn’t have any problems.
"We have advanced warning signs up that there is fresh oil and chips on the roadway. And if there is damage to their vehicles, we suggest they contact our Washington County maintenance office and file a tort claim," he said.